Guatemala to tighten adoption process

GUATEMALA CITY, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Prospective parents who travel to Guatemala to adopt babies will find the process more complicated beginning in January.

Under pressure from the United States and other countries. Guatemala's government has agreed to create a central agency to review adoption requests, oversee foster homes and accredit adoption agencies, The Arizona Republic reported Monday.

Currently the country is considered the No. 1 place to go for Americans who want to adopt infants because its "notarial" system puts private lawyers in charge of the entire process.

Prospective parents find looser requirements, shorter waits and a greater availability of young children than in the United States, the Republic said.

At the same time, the ease of adoption has sparked charges of baby-selling, kidnapping and bribery.

Helen Mack, who heads a human rights group in Guatemala City, told the Republic that while adoption is a noble endeavor, crimes are being committed in its name.