12 children taken to Pa. after Haitian earthquake are here legally, hospital official says

Hospital: 12 Haitian kids in Pa. are here legally

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh hospital official says 12 children brought to Pennsylvania after the Haitian earthquake did have paperwork to begin the adoption process.

The federal government has asked the American Red Cross to trace the family ties of the children because they might not qualify for “humanitarian parole.” That can include adoption.

But University of Pittsburgh Medical Center consultant Leslie McCombs said Wednesday that the children all had documents signed by at least one parent and Haitian court officials surrendering custody.

What they didn’t have was American families waiting for them — something Haitian orphans now must have to be allowed into the United States.

Those guidelines were being established the day the children in Pennsylvania left Haiti.