ORDER

G.S. Patel, J. - This is an unusual Foreign Adoption Petition. The minor Joshua Vishvas Childs was born on 27th February 2006. From an early age he was diagnosed with a moderate to severe level of autism. He is a non-verbal, low-functioning autistic.

2. The adoptive mother, Debbie Jean Childs, is an American national aged about 59 years old. She has been working in India with autistic children for the last 15 years.

3. Joshua was found abandoned in the Out Patient Department of Duncan Hospital in East Champaran, Bihar on 18th September 2010. The hospital authorities contacted the police two days later and published details of the child in a newspaper. No one claimed his custody. The hospital gave Joshua in temporary custody to Debbie Jean Childs and took from her an Affidavit dated 26th February 2011. Joshua has been in the sole care and custody of Debbie Jean Childs thus, for the last seven years.

4. The Child Welfare Committee, East Champaran, Bihar has declared Joshua legally free for adoption by an order dated 10th January 2018 after following the necessary procedure. Ms Childs registered with CARA as a foreigner living in India. Her home study report was done by a specia