Adoptive Parents Forced To Return Baby Girl After Biological Parents Change Mind

This couple had to return their new-born baby girl after the biological parents changed their mind and wanted her back five days after the birth.

Sarah Howell, 31, from Richmond, Virginia, was given less than a one per cent chance of conceiving naturally after being told that her intense period pains were due to endometriosis. So, her and husband Chris, 32, decided to approach an adoption agency.

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The couple tried to get pregnant for three years before the decision to adopt but remarkably, on 31^st January 2018, Sarah decided to take a pregnancy test after feeling slightly "off". For the first time ever, the test came out positive.

Then just one hour later, the adoption agency called to say that they had been matched with a baby girl who they could meet in just three weeks’ time.

Sarah and Chris picked up their adopted daughter when Sarah was eight weeks pregnant.

Sarah told SWNS: "When I walked into the hospital room her birth mum was holding her and lovingly placed her into my arms, she said 'meet your mum, baby girl'".

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However, after just five days, Sarah and Chris received a phone call telling them that the birth parents of their daughter had changed their minds and wanted her back, something which they can do legally up to 10 days after the birth. The news was devastating and Sarah was worried the distress would lead to a miscarriage.

Sarah said: "I always say the pain we felt that day was worse than our three years of infertility combined.

"We do not hold anything against her birth parents.

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"If we could, we would tell them how much we love them, and how lucky baby girl is to have them as parents."

Sarah and Chris later gave birth to son Noah Howell, who weighed 9lbs 6oz.

When Noah was one, the family were matched with a baby boy who they adopted and named Levi and have since adopted Levi. However, Sarah and Chris still held on to that fear that Levi would be taken away from them like their adoptive daughter had been before.

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"I knew I wouldn't be able to prevent this so it felt vulnerable and scary to love a child again knowing they might not stay", said Sarah.

After Levi, the couple then decided to become foster parents and took in a two-month old in June 2021.

Topics: Life, Parenting, Real Life

Charlotte Forrester

Charlotte (‘Fozz’) was a part of LADbible group’s Kickstart Class of 2021 and is now a freelance journalist for Tyla. A pop culture fanatic, she likes writing about entertainment, lifestyle and social issues.

@charlyfozz99