Quets Pushes for Court to Uphold Visitation Agreement

Raleigh, N.C. — A birth mother who kidnapped twins from their adoptive family in Apex a year ago maintained in court papers filed Friday that she should have the right to see the children.

Allison Quets was sentenced last week to five years on probation after she pleaded guilty to international parental kidnapping in the case. She spent more than eight months in jail before agreeing to plead guilty in the case.

Quets took the twins, who were 17 months old at the time, on Dec. 22, 2006, from their adoptive parents, Kevin and Denise Needham, following an approved visit. Authorities apprehended her a week later in Ottawa, Ontario, and returned the twins to the Apex couple.

She has fought their adoption for more than two years, saying she was ill after suffering medical problems during her pregnancy and signed adoption papers under duress.

A Florida appellate court has upheld a lower court's ruling terminating Quets' parental rights in the case.

Quets filed a complaint in Wake County court last month, stating the adoption was contingent upon her "retaining a continuing and familiar role" in the lives of the children after the adoption was finalized.

The Needhams have asked that the case be dismissed, but Quets filed papers Friday reiterating her request that the original adoption agreement, which called for six visits and telephone contact with the children each year, be upheld – or that her consent to the adoption be voided.

"Quets is asking for (the) court to grant her visitation and communication rights with the minor children as previously agreed by the Needhams," the filing states.

A hearing on the case is scheduled for next Wednesday. The Needhams have asked that the court be closed to the public and that the case file be sealed.

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If I am not mistaken, I read the Needhams are unable to comment on the case because of clauses in the agreement. Although they are bound to silence and unable to present their side of the case, Quets is taking advantage of all the media coverage and garnering the support of people around the world. The Needhams have provided a stable home for these children and the only instability in their lives is Allison Quets. The welfare of the children has only been in qestion while with Allison Quets. By her own admission, Allison's life was in turmoil which is not stability. Kidnapping is not the sign of a stable life or a stable person. To "dontlookback", just because you have been where she is, and you are okay, doesn't mean that she is unstable. I have seldom met a birth mother, and I have met quite a few, that did not feel, in hindsight, that things could have been different. Most decisions are made based on the circumstances at the time, not the potential for the future.

nghtstarz2
December 30, 2007 1:25 p.m.

seankelly...you are absolutely correct! Even in Florida the court that handled the appeal felt the saem way...they finalized the adoption and now it is over. I read on some website that Allison even had another couple there too. I think that was a Nancy Grace transcript... Bottom line, Allison knew what she was doing, she knows what she is doing now. She wants attention, needs attention. I hope the courtroom is sealed and that Allison leaves the Needham family alone to continue to heal from the traumatic kidnappings.

Mom on Call
December 29, 2007 8:38 a.m.

To those that think that Quets was forced into giving her children up for adoption, please read some background on the case - not the background that Quets's attorney has provided, but the true background. In Nov of 2004, Quets wanted someone to adopt the male twin. Quets was interested in the Needhams because they met one of the two requirements - they would let her have visitation rights (the other requirement was that she be financially compensated). Quest gave birth in July of 2005. So, almost eight months prior to the birth Quests was planning for an adoption. Quests gave birth to the twins on July 6th of 2005. On August 15th of 2005 Quests signed the adoption papers. There is not a shred of evidence suggesting that she was rushed, deceived, defrauded or any other of the actions she claimed in attempting to reverse the adoption. She had a month and a half to think about whether she wanted to sign the adoption papers.

seankelly15
December 29, 2007 8:28 a.m.

She is not stable and certainly shouldn't be caring for helpless, innocent children.

MizzZeta
December 29, 2007 1:58 a.m.

These babies are victims of kidnapping. No victim should have to visit the perpetrator ever again, let alone six times a year. Once she chose to break the agreement (and law, any obligations the adoptive parents agreed to should be voided.