Grandparents vie with foster parents to adopt girl(this happens to grandparent's all over the country-complements of our Govt)

Grandparents vie with foster parents to adopt girl


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By Amy Crawford
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, August 5, 2010

Carolyn and Dennis Konopka learned they had a grandchild on the same day they were told of their daughter's brutal murder.

"It was a confusing time," said Dennis, sitting at the dining room table in the couple's tidy North Huntingdon ranch house. "We walked around probably two weeks numb."

Megan Konopka, a 21-year-old Norwin High School graduate, was stabbed and strangled in a hotel in Bradford, McKean County, in September 2009. She had been 8 months pregnant, and her unborn son also died.

Greggory Theobald, 21, and Thomas Haggie, 30, both of Bradford, were charged with homicide, homicide of an unborn child and conspiracy in the deaths. Theobald pleaded guilty in July and is scheduled to be sentenced today. Haggie pleaded not guilty.

According to court records, Megan Konopka, who was mentally challenged, left behind a daughter, Michell Hardy, whom McKean County Child and Youth Services had placed in foster care in December 2008, when the child was 3 months old.

The foster parents, Scott and Laura Lorenzo of Kane, McKean County, are trying to adopt Michell, now almost 2. The Konopkas filed paperwork to adopt their grandchild.

"I just can't understand what kind of person would take somebody's grandchild, knowing that they have family," Carolyn Konopka said.

Reached by phone, Scott Lorenzo said the family would not comment.

Joan Benso, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said that when parents are found unfit, it is standard practice to place the child with a relative.

"It is widely believed the best placement for a child is a family setting with a relative," said Benso, whose organization advocates for children and youth across the state.

Carolyn Konopka said her daughter, who had been diagnosed with a borderline IQ, had run away from home. She never told her parents that she was pregnant.

When McKean County Children and Youth Services took custody of Michell, Megan apparently did not tell them how to reach her parents. The Konopkas said that the agency did not make an effort to find them.

Dan Wertz, the agency's solicitor, said he could not comment on the specifics of the case, but that each case is analyzed to see if a relative's home would be the best place for the child.

"When it comes to searching out relatives, the law does require and regulations require the agency make efforts to locate potential relatives if the child is ultimately not able to be in the care of the parent," Wertz said. "While the law requires an analysis or an attempt or effort to locate kin, the law is also clear, it does not (mean) kin is automatically a preference."

After the Konopkas learned of their granddaughter's existence, Carolyn said, they began trying to get custody. In January, a mediator awarded them weekend visits every two weeks, and they have since bonded with Michell, who calls them "Nana" and "Pap."

"At first, she seems to be a little shy," Carolyn said. "She eventually starts smiling, though."

"She's friends with everybody in the neighborhood already," Dennis said.

A hearing is scheduled Aug. 13 for the Lorenzos' adoption petition. If a judge finds in their favor, the Konopkas' visiting arrangement would be terminated, and they fear they would no longer be able to see their granddaughter. In Pennsylvania, as in most states, adoption cuts off grandparents' visitation rights.

"If Pennsylvania at least had grandparents' rights, we would at least be able to see her," Carolyn said. "I wish someone could help us."

Though the Konopkas plan to keep fighting, they are struggling to pay legal bills and said they were seeking pro bono representation.

"I'm hoping, somehow, there has to be someone that can help," Carolyn said.

Meanwhile, they are preparing for one more visit this weekend with the little girl who reminds them of the daughter they lost.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_693534.html