Net twins custody case resumes

The Kilshaws are fighting for custody of the twin they bought in the U.S.

LONDON, England -- A court case to decide the future of the Internet adoption twins is due to resume before a High Court judge.

The twins were adopted in America by Welsh couple Alan and Judith Kilshaw through an adoption agency Web site.

But a trans-Atlantic custody battle was sparked after a U.S. couple said they had already adopted the twins.

The hearing to determine the fate of the babies -- Belinda and Kimberley -- will be held on Monday before Mr Justice Kirkwood at the High Court in London.

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The Kilshaw, from Buckley, north Wales, are hoping to discover the outcome of their custody battle with Flintshire Social Services.

The couple claim they paid a US baby broker £8,200 ($12,000) to adopt the twins, but the local authority, who seized the babies in January, wants them made wards of court.

The twins, who are nearly nine months old, are currently being cared for by foster parents.

Last month the case was adjourned at Birmingham's Priory Law Court just five hours into what was scheduled to be a three-day hearing.

It coincided with a screening of an Oprah Winfrey show on which the Kilshaws appeared alongside their Californian counterparts Richard and Vickie Allen.

The British couple flew to Chicago to film the programme in January but shortly after the show finished they were served with a writ from the Allens, alleging they were the legal parents of the babies.

The US couple have since backed out of the row after it emerged Mr Allen was arrested on suspicion of molesting two teenage girls.

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Flintshire Social Services
Birmingham Priory Courts
British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering

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