(WSVN) – A Miami couple is in a race against time to adopt their twin nieces after tragedy strikes their family.
7’s Heather Walker investigates this complex and costly battle for the family.
Joan and Rafael Alvarez wanted to have children. But it was a big deal.
João Alvarez: “I’ve had many surgeries. We’ve taken drugs and done different things, but now it’s not working.”
They tried adopting, but it wasn’t until they received a late-night phone call from Joan’s home country of South Africa that they finally decided to give up on their dreams of starting a family.
Joao Alvarez: “It was February, it was like 3 a.m. and I went to pick her up and she said, ‘Oh, your brother, his wife just passed away.’ She’s my sister-in-law. And she left two baby girls, and they’re twins. So I was like, ‘What?’
Joanne discovered she had two-week-old twin nieces, Geraldine and Bianca. They had been placed in foster care because her brother was unable to care for them.
But Joan and Rafael knew they could do it.
Rafael Alvarez: “I always wanted to be a father to girls. It was my dream to have a little girl.”
Joan and Rafael decide to apply for custody of the twins. But getting the baby to South Florida proved difficult.
Joao Alvarez: “So what’s tough now is that I’m fighting against this other family to protect my nieces and my family.”
Joan told the 7th Bureau of Investigation that after his wife died, his brother gave the girls to a foster care home. He is unable to make a deal to take over custody of the babies, as they are currently living in foster care.
João Alvarez: “Unfortunately, we have to go through the exact same process for international adoptions.”
And the process is neither easy nor cheap.
João Alvarez: “The amount ranges from $40 to $60,000.
Holt’s International Adoption Agency agreed to assist the Alvarez couple. However, South African family courts have set strict deadlines.
João Alvarez: “They told us, ‘We have until May to have all the ducks,’ and that’s when the panic started.”
The court will decide at a custody hearing whether the twins can come and live in South Florida or stay with foster parents permanently.
João Alvarez: “It’s a sad situation. But at this point I just have to carry on. But at the end of the day, this is my family and I don’t want my family to just be torn apart.” plug.”
Joanne hopes the judge will allow her to raise the girls as a family.
Heather Walker, 7 News.
Joan and Rafael set up a Gofundme to raise money for the adoption. If you would like to donate, please click here.
Contact 7 investigates:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
[email protected]
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