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Justin Harris Defends Transfer of Adopted Daughters

1 min read

LITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas lawmaker says he gave his adopted daughters to a man who later sexually abused one of them because the children had behavioral problems and professionals recommended the move.

Rep. Justin Harris of West Fork spoke at a news conference Friday about how the 6- and 3-year-old ended up in the care of Eric Francis. The 39-year-old Francis pleaded guilty in November to sexually assaulting the older sibling and two other unrelated girls.

More: KUAR has full audio of the news conference.

Harris says one of his adopted daughters threatened family members and one harmed a pet. He says a psychiatrist and a pediatrician recommended the 2013 transfer.

Two lawmakers have filed bills to criminalize transferring an adopted child to an unrelated family without state or court oversight. Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked state officials to review adoption procedures.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or distributed.)

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