Civil Liberties

No Charges Against Texas Couple for Death of Adopted Russian Boy

Case used as justification for ban of adoptions in Russia

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Prosecutors said Monday that they won't charge a Texas couple in the death of a 3-year-old adopted boy from Russia, a case that has become the latest flashpoint in the debate over whether American families should be allowed to adopt Russian children.

Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said his office would not charge Alan and Laura Shatto in the Jan. 21 death of Max Alan Shatto, who was born Maxim Kuzmin.

"The grand jury determined there was insufficient evidence to charge them with anything," Bland said at a news conference.