New Zealand Husband and Armenian Wife have their Baby while both are living in Armenia. Immediately after Baby’s birth, Baby is diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome.
Armenia reportedly treats those diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome little better than outcasts and provides minimal support for their optimal development and integration into mainstream society.
Husband is prepared to return to New Zealand with Baby to give Baby the opportunity to develop optimally and thrive in mainstream society there.
Wife reportedly is torn and uncertain about Baby – and, possibly, Husband.
Husband and Wife divorce almost immediately after Baby’s birth. (It’s not entirely clear precisely which of them really wanted the divorce or why.)
Husband tells his story on a website, hoping to raise money via donations from others who want to help him and Baby return to New Zealand and start a good life for Baby.
Hoping to generate $60,000, Husband has in fact raised $350,000 – so far.
Husband promises that he will donate some of the extra monies raised to charities in Armenia (and New Zealand) that better the options and lives of people with Down’s Syndrome.
Wife responds publicly that Husband was not there for her at the most difficult time of her life and, in effect, abandoned her, prematurely.
The details are just sparse enough that it is uncertain whether Baby’s removal from Armenia may run afoul of any Armenian child custody laws or any international child custody jurisdiction laws, such as the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Read more in
- this Yahoo Parenting article: Dad Divorced by Wife Over Son With Down Syndrome Raises $350K and
- this Yahoo News article: Woman Defends Herself After Husband Says She Gave up Newborn With Down Syndrome .
