The Fight for Gabriel
It's a heart-wrenching situation. The story of Gabriel Allred.Born in America to a Mexican father and American mother, neither able to give up crime or drugs to parent him. He has lived in Toledo with a foster family since he was four months old. The Brandts want to adopt Gabriel but the state feels he would be better off living in Mexico with his parental Grandmother. Even though he has never met his Grandmother.
It's been interesting trying to get beyond the surface on this story. But last week we were able to contact Gabriel's biological mother. She is on the run from police but we were able to get her cell phone number and contact her. She made it clear that she thinks Gabriel should stay with the Brandts.
And tonight after a long process of tracking corrections paperwork and working with immigration officials we have located Gabriel's biological father. He has served his time on sex offenses but is still being held for deportation back to Mexico. Jennifer Iveson is interviewing him right now and that should be a very interesting conversation tonight at five.
Pat Dooris also has a comment from the Governor tonight. Pat is very persistent and just kept asking every single day until they finally found a few minutes for him.
There are so many issues to wrestle with on this story. The need for biological connections in a child's life. The bonding that has clearly taken place with the Brandt's and what ending that would do to Gabriel. I just hope and pray that Gabriel's needs are put first. Isn’t there someway he can have both the Brandts and his Grandmother?
I know many of you have strong feelings on this and have already weighed in. Thank you for that and I hope you'll listen to the father's interview tonight at five.
As always, thanks for watching.
Tracy Barry
Comments
I believe the child, who is a US Citizen, should NOT be deported. The natural parents have failed him, and the vast majority of those around him here in Oregon want him to stay here. Only the beaurocrats want to deport him.
When the parents failed him, they had to pay dearly. If the state fails him, it too should have to pay dearly.
Keep after the gov. I think he has a heart for this child.
Blessings and prayers!
Gene
Posted by: Gene | November 13, 2007 5:22 PM
The Dept. of Human Services is the same group of heavy handed social workers who used to be CSD (Childrens Services Division). Around 1996 they had to change their name due to public outrage over playing God with other peoples children. But here they are under a new name showing the same poor judgement.
Posted by: Laura | November 13, 2007 6:17 PM
The state's intent to send Gabriel to Mexico is an antiquated and inaccurate take on what's good for a child. He's where he needs to be: in (what appears to be) a loving environment, with foster parents who have the means to take care of him. I can say from personal experience--and I think it's obvious to most--that blood relationships have absolutely nothing to do with raising a happy and healthy child.
And he's American. Do we just abandon our own, now?
Posted by: Brad | November 13, 2007 6:33 PM
I think Gabriel should stay with his foster parents, who want to adopt him. The grandmother had a chance to raise her son, and look how he turned out, a drug addict, and a rapist. Will Gabriel get any help in Mexico for his psychological problems he will receive from made to leave the parents he has ever known? I can't image how anyone who cares for children can ever take a child out of a loving home and put him with an unknown person. If that Grandmother really loved him, she would want what was best for her grandson. She should come here and live and get to know him if she cares for him.
Posted by: Judi | November 13, 2007 10:22 PM
I feel he should not be deported. He has been with this family almost from birth.
Who are they to rip him away from the only family he has ever known to send him away to people he has never seen in his life. What is the state thinking?? Are they really taking the boys needs into consideration?? What would that do to him mentally?
Posted by: Earlyne | November 14, 2007 6:35 AM
I am in the "mature age" group and although I agree with letting his foster parents adopt Gabriel my real problem is with the deportation of an American Citizen. What happens to me and other "mature" individules if we set a president of deporting those citizens that are unableable to defend themselves?
Posted by: Robert | November 14, 2007 9:34 AM
Why deport a U.S. citizen?
This young child cannot help
what his mother has become,
not a responsible adult.
Posted by: roy | November 14, 2007 2:49 PM
Robert has a valid point. I didn't think it was legal to deport an American Citizen, even with a dual citizenship.
As somebody else said, to the parents biology doesn't mean much. It didn't to me when I raised child that I didn't start, but did the raising.
So where does this child really belong? I have side with many, he should be left where his is and adoption procedures should be started.
I see nothing wrong with the biological parents and grand parents visiting.
Posted by: Byron | November 14, 2007 2:53 PM
To Tracy Barry:
Oregon residents should bring Gabriels plight to Oregons Congressmen attention to stop his deportation and to legitimize the adoption of Gabriel by the Brandts for his protection. A case number or identifier would be helpful when contacting Senators and Congressmen. Below is a link to names, phones numbers and e-mail addresses of Oregons representatives. Let them know what is happening to Gabriel.
I do not regularly post in message boards, but this case commands attention and requires action. I believe it would be a grave mistake to give custody of Gabriel to strange blood relatives in a foreign country over loving foster parents in Garbiels HOME country. Gabriel is unable to speak for himself, but his fellow citizens and concern public can plea in his behalf for his welfare.
Senator Ron Wyden (D- OR)
Ph: 202-224-5244
Fax: 202-228-2717
http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Senator Gordon Smith (R- OR)
Ph:202-224-3753
Fax: 202-228-3997
http://gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
Representative David Wu (D - 01)
Ph: 202-225-0855
Fax: 202-225-9497
http://www.house.gov/wu/email.shtml
Representative Greg Walden (R - 02)
Ph: 202-225-6730
Fax: 202-225-5774
http://walden.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactGreg.Home
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D - 03)
Ph: 202-225-4811
Fax: 202-225-8941
http://blumenauer.house.gov/about/Contact.shtml
Representative Peter A. DeFazio (D - 04)
Ph: 202-225-6416
Fax: 202-225-0032
http://www.house.gov/formdefazio/contact.html
Representative Darlene Hooley (D - 05)
Ph: 202-225-5711
FAX: 202-225-5699
http://hooley.house.gov/index.asp?Type=DYNAFORM&
SEC={9BDA1E4D-2430-4E7D-B7AB-236B60C42F5A}
Posted by: Claudia | December 5, 2007 12:51 PM
I wrote Governor Kulongoski to ask him to help Gabriel stay with his foster parents.
Cut and paste the link below to find out how to contact Gov. Kulongoski
http://www.governor.state.or.us/Gov/contact_us.shtml
Posted by: Claudia | December 5, 2007 2:05 PM