How can I find out adoption laws in my state? Is there a way to find where an adopted child went?

Question

My sister lost her son to the state. She actually lost him twice. Got him back once, lost him again, then started to get him back & something happened that made the state strip her rights to him. She was keeping in touch w/the family that had him (when she was trying to get him back the 2nd time). They told her they were thinking of adopting him, but he has ADHD & they said they weren't sure if they could handle him or not. Then she ended up losing her rights (it was all over little stupid things. Some people can do anything w/their kids & never lose them, but some people can sneeze wrong & get them taken, so it's not like she abused him or anything). When her rights got taken completely, that family wouldn't talk to her anymore. It's been about a year since we've seen him. My other nephew (his brthr) called the family, to see if he was still there & they told him he had no rights. I wrote a letter w/no response. Is there a way I can find where he is? I miss him so much

Answer 1

There really is no legal recourse for you.
You can ask the social worker to put a letter in his file to be given to his adoptive family.
Your only hope is relying on their good will.

Answer 2

After parental rights are terminated and a child is adopted, the parent and other family members do not usually have the opportunity to contact the child. The birth parents can put a letter into the childs file that says that they are willing to be contacted by the child when he turns 18.
Some adoptive families are willing to be open and allow the child to see relatives but that is totally their call. It can be confusing to the child to have two families trying to be part of his life. Obviously there were some problems in this child's home life and the state considered him safer removed from that evnrionment. Adoptive parents may be worried about relatives exposing him to these dangers or to contact with his birth mother.