Adopted boy killed by US mother

A WOMAN in Texas has killed her adopted Russian son, the Kremlin's envoy for children said yesterday, outlining the latest alleged abuse of an adopted Russian child by American parents.

"Three-year-old Maxim was beaten (according to the investigators) by his adoptive mother, who fed him psychoactive drugs over a long period of time," ombudsman Pavel Astakhov said on his office's Twitter feed @RFdeti.

"The boy died before the arrival of the ambulance called by his adoptive mother. According to the autopsy report, the boy had many injuries."

Russia has long complained about the treatment of Russian orphans adopted by American parents and in December passed a law banning adoptions of Russian children by Americans.

Astakhov said the murder took place in late January and expressed dismay with Washington's response.

"The Russian embassy found out despite the lack of reaction by the State Department," said Astakhov.

In a coordinated move, both Russia's foreign ministry and the Investigative Committee quickly put out statements regarding the case of Maxim Kuzmin, who died on January 21, according to the ministry's human rights envoy.

The death is "yet another case of inhuman torture of a Russian child adopted by US parents," said commissioner Konstantin Dolgov.

He said the parents gave the boy the drug Risperdal used to treat adult schizophrenia and his body had signs of beatings.

Russia's Investigative Committee said it may eventually open a criminal probe.

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