MONROE, N.C. — A Monroe police lieutenant is turning to Congress for help after a ban on adopting Russian children has threatened her own daughter's case.
Lt. TJ Goforth and her husband tried for years to have a family and began the process of adopting a 19-month-old girl from Russia in August 2012.
"It was love at first sight, from the pictures in the email to the time we first met her," Goforth said.
Goforth and her husband spent months filling out the complicated paperwork and spent nearly $30,000 in adoption fees. In November, they traveled to Russia to meet their daughter for the first time.
"We looked at her, and looked at each other, and just knew, this is our baby," Goforth said.
Goforth and her husband planned to return to Russia this week to finalize the court proceedings, which would allow them to bring the little girl home just 30 days later.
Goforth said everything was turned upside down when Russian officials announced last month they were banning American parents from adopting Russian children.
"I can't fix a ban between two countries, and my daughter is caught in the middle of this," Goforth said.
Since then, Goforth has been reaching out to state and federal officials, and has even contacted the White House.
Her fellow officers at the Monroe Police Department have also been sending letters and calling Sen. Kay Hagan and other congressmen.
"When something comes between you and your child, you're going to do anything you can, and that's what we're trying to do," Goforth said through tears.
Hagan's office told Channel 9 they are in contact with Goforth about her case.
WSOC
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