Russian diplomats are to demand access to a boy and a girl from Russia whose American parents want to reverse their adoption, claiming the children are 'mentally ill'. Vladimir Putin's commissioner for children's rights has told MailOnline that the move by the unnamed couple from New York, as 'despicable' and said his country's consul must be allowed to see its citizens. The couple have gone to court to ask a judge to end their legal parenthood of the 12- and 14-year-old, who are being cared for in state mental health facilities in New York. They claim that when they adopted the children six years ago, via two adoption charities which then worked in Russia, they were not told the children had severe mental problems, and were falsely told they were brother and sister.
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Couple, from Long Island, adopted children, then six and eight, in 2008
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At time, the youngsters were reportedly described as 'healthy' siblings but parents say they are now mentally ill - and not brother and sister
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Parents have gone to court to overturn the adoption in rare legal move
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Russian officials now want access to the children who are in state mental health facility, saying 'they are our citizens'
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Aide to Vladimir Putin tells MailOnline parents are shirking their responsibility amid row with US over adoption
'The @placeholder couple had a complete dossier on each child and had the right to consult any doctor.
The judge said an estimated 20 per cent of @placeholder children adopted in the U.S. suffer from developmental issues, making the hearing one of wide public interest.