Irvine couple detained in Ghana after adopting children

U.S. officials Tuesday were trying to assist an Irvine couple who were detained by police in Ghana after adopting four children in the African nation.

Christine and Sol Moghadam adopted the four children June 14, but they were detained Monday by “Ghanaian officials who were looking into the legality of the adoption,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Tuesday during the agency’s daily media briefing.

The Moghadams had written about their effort to adopt the children in a blog called “Our adoption journey to Africa.” The blog had been removed Tuesday night.

Nuland said the couple were reunited with their two biological children, who had accompanied their parents on the journey, and their passports were returned.

“We are providing all the appropriate consular services and support,” Nuland said, “and we are monitoring the situation closely and addressing any questions to us from Ghanaian officials.”

This story was reported by Times Staff Writer Robert J. Lopez.