By Ana Jackson, Reporter for NBC4

COLUMBUS, Ohio

The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates there were 380,000 Haitian orphans before the devastating earthquake. Now it’s believed that there are thousands more.

But opening your home to a Haitian orphan isn’t as easy as you might think, considering the need for adoptive families.

“You’re not just going to be able to wake up and say I’m adopting a child today,” said Tommy Taneff, a local adoption attorney.

While there are plenty of orphans available, Taneff says working through the Haitian government to get the process going will be difficult.

“There are lawyers that are missing that are dead, judges that are missing that are dead, and paperwork that is in shambles as well,” said Taneff.

Taneff explains that’s not the only roadbump. He says getting pre-approved for adoption is a long and cumbersome process, especially for international adoptions. You could spend up to two years and up to about $45,000 trying to rescue an orphan, despite the fact that some have already been airlifted to the United States. Taneff says the orphans who were brought to the states have been in the pipeline for adoptions and their paperwork is almost completed.

If you’re willing to take on the challenges of adoption, Taneff points out that young Haitian children aren’t the only ones who need homes.

“It’s those teenagers that need families that have the highest risk of getting drug into the sex trade, alcoholism and prostitution,” said Taneff.

Taneff says if you’re going to pursue an international adoption, make sure you work with an attorney or agency that is familiar with the process. Ask for references and check licenses to make sure an attorney or agency is credible.

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