White Couple Can Adopt Black Girl, 3 : Court Ruling Ends a Yearlong Legal Fight With County Agency

A white Anaheim couple’s yearlong battle with the Orange County Social Services Agency ended in victory Thursday when they picked up the black 3-year-old girl who was once their foster child and will now become a part of the family.

Floyd and Eileen Behrendt had been told nearly a year ago by workers at the county agency that they could not adopt their foster daughter, Angelica, because state guidelines strongly discourage interracial adoption.

“We just picked her up from Social Services offices, and she ran to us and gave us hugs and kisses--she’s so excited,” said Dianne Behrendt, the couple’s 13-year-old daughter. The Behrendts also have a 15-year-old daughter, Colleen.

‘Looks Fantastic’

“It’s the first time we’ve seen her in a year,” Dianne said. “Social Services wouldn’t allow us to talk to her in all that time. She looks fantastic--a little thin, but fantastic.”

It was last February when the Behrendts decided to return their foster daughter to Social Services because they figured it would be a heart-wrenching experience to keep her another few years and grow even more attached to her only to lose her to another family through adoption.

The girl had been placed in the home when she was 1 month old and was nearly 2 years old when she was returned.

The Behrendts regretted their decision immediately and, saying they already were too attached to Angelica, sought to adopt the child themselves.

Application Rejected

The adoption application was rejected, however. County officials, in letters to the couple, cited racial problems that could develop later for the child.

At a closed-door Juvenile Court hearing Thursday, the Behrendts and the county settled the case. But the agreement included a provision prohibiting the couple, the agency and the lawyers for each side from discussing the case.

Christian Van Deusen, attorney for the Behrendts, would only say that the matter was settled in the best interests of Angelica and that the Behrendts were happy. Deputy County Counsel Barbara L. Stocker refused to admit she was even at the court proceeding.

While her parents were forbidden to talk, Dianne was not.

She said formal adoption proceedings would begin March 12 when the parental rights of Angelica’s natural mother are expected to be terminated.