Kremlin Says Russian Boy Killed By Adoptive Mother In U.S.

On January 13, thousands marched in Moscow against the law banning the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens.

Russian officials claim that a 3-year-old Russian boy has been killed by his American adoptive mother in Texas.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's official for human rights, Konstantin Dolgov, said on February 18 that Russian authorities will be monitoring investigations of Maksim Kuzmin's death, which occurred on January 21.

Russia's children's rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov said that "according to U.S. investigators, 3-year-old Maksim was beaten by his adoptive mother, who fed him psychotropic drugs over a long period of time."

There has been no immediate comment on the report by U.S. authorities.

Russia has long complained about the treatment of Russian orphans adopted by American parents and in December passed a controversial law banning adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens.

Based on reporting by AFP, Interfax, and RIA Novosti