ABSTRACT
Demographic information was obtained through a review of protective service, foster care, and adoption files on 80 children and families in intact, dissolved, and disrupted adoptions. The 40 cases of intact adoptions were selected from almost every region in the state of Texas. At the time of the target children's removal, their birthmothers ranged in age from 16 to 47 and their birthfathers ranged in age from 18 to 57. There were 7 females and 8 males in disrupted adoptions. The majority were of minority parentage. Five (33.3") of the children were White, 4 (26.7") Black, 2 (13.3") Mexican American, and 4 (26.7") multiethnic. Ten (67") of the 15 children in disrupted adoptions had developmental disabilities. Parental rights had been terminated in 8 (32") cases as a result of physical abuse of the target child. Four (16") children had been sexually abused, 6 (24") neglected, 3 (12") abandoned, and 3 (12") birthparents had voluntarily relinquished rights to their child.
