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Arizona Judge Calls Couple's Adoption Into Question

By Newsradio 88 Staff

An Arizona couple encounters another obstacle in in their effort to adopt two Russian girls.

A New York Family Court judge has canceled a hearing on whether the couple could regain custody of the children, witnesses say they abused during a 10-hour flight from Russia.

The hearing for Karen and Richard Thorne was nixed when the judge learned that an Arizona commissioner had issued an order revoking the certificate granted to the couple in December, which attested to their suitability.

New York Newsday reports today that the judge has called into question the validity of the order, since the adoption became final in Moscow.

The Thornes were arrested and charged with assault, harassment and endangering the welfare of children, when they arrived at JFK in May after the flight in question.

Last week the Thornes had two supervised visits with the girls.

A hearing set for June 26 on the criminal charges. A trial is set for July 2.