The American twin girls at the centre of an internet adoption row must be returned to their birthplace in St Louis, Missouri, a judge at the high court in London ruled yesterday.
A baby broker was paid £8,200 by Judith and Alan Kil shaw to arrange the adoption. But the transaction was the subject of dispute and the children were removed in January by Flintshire social services.
In the high court case, the Kilshaws, from Buckley, north Wales, had hoped to regain custody of the nine-month-old sisters. They may appeal.
Mrs Kilshaw stormed repeatedly from the court where Mr Justice Kirkwood was giving his ruling in private. She had to be restrained by friends, court staff and her 18-year-old daughter Kaley as she screamed: "There is no justice. They said I lied." Wrestling with a court official she said, "You want everything, don't you, my life and my kids."
After more than five days of legal arguments and evidence from social workers, childcare experts, the babies' natural parents, and the Kilshaws, the judge had decided that the girls, known as Kimberley and Belinda, should be returned to the United States. They will be cared for by a foster family while a court in Missouri decides where they should make their permanent home. Their natural parents are estranged and are separately seeking custody of their children.
In a statement to the press, Mr Justice Kirkwood said: "The court held that it would not be in the welfare interests of the twins for them to be returned to Mr and Mrs Kilshaw. Mr and Mrs Kilshaw's application for a residence order was dismissed."
The court, he said, "rejected robustly an allegation by Mr and Mrs Kilshaw that the ac tions in the case of Flintshire county council were driven by a local or central government agenda. The county council has acted properly and in accordance with its statutory obligations throughout."
The Kilshaws refused to comment after the hearing and were driven away in a black cab waiting for them at the back of the court.
Michael Charles, their solicitor, said: "They are very disappointed with the decision. They are going to consider very carefully their legal position with regard to an appeal."
The proceedings had been "a great strain for Mr and Mrs Kilshaw who want only what is best for these children".
Karen Reilly, the head of children's services at Flintshire county council, clearly felt the ruling vindicated her department's actions: "[It] confirms our view that the intervention of the court was necessary to secure and promote the safety and welfare of these two children," she said.
"Their welfare has always been our highest priority and it will remain so whilst arrangements are made for their safe return to their native country."
Related articles
09.04.2001: Judge's statement
09.04.2001: Kilshaws lose court bid for internet twins
03.04.2001: Abduction claim by internet twins' parents
20.03.2001: British couple fight on for internet twins
19.03.2001: Custody battle adjourned
18.03.2001: Net baby mother lashes out at 'official smear campaign'
07.03.2001: US judge rejects twins' adoption
The issue explained
19.01.2 001: Adopting babies on the internet
Audio
24.01.2001: 'Members of the public were shouting abuse'
Useful links
Adoption Information Line
ABC Adoptions: online adoption resources
British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering
