LOCAL NEWS

Utah family obtains legal assistance to help get children they adopted out of Haiti

May 25, 2024, 5:39 PM | Updated: 5:50 pm

OREM Saturday was a big day in the Stewart household.

Then again, celebrating a kid’s birthday is always a big deal.

“Here are his new trucks that he will finally get to play with when he gets home,” said Zachary Stewart. “And there is another birthday gift that we were able to get.”

“These are things we have bought for him,” said Cherry Stewart with a smile.

If only the birthday boy was here to see it.

Waiting for laughter and messes

“I do the majority of my crying in here in this room,” Cherry Stewart said. “I just can’t wait for it to be full of laughter and little messes.”

The Stewarts adopted two boys from Haiti more than a year ago.

KSL TV is hiding their faces in pictures and not naming them to protect their identities.

Zachary and Cherry Stewart have adopted two children from Haiti. Recent violence in the country has hung up the adoption. KSL TV is hiding their faces in pictures and not naming them to protect their identities. (Ray Boone, KSL TV)

The paperwork that would send the boys from Haiti to their new home in Orem was close to being completed. However, the paperwork was never finalized because of the chaos and violence that erupted in Haiti in March with gangs taking over the streets.

“They are luckily in a pretty safe place right now, but it is always tenuous. One family we knew had to have their kids evacuated and brought to a safe house because of the violence,” said Zachary Stewart, who is Cherry’s husband.

KSL TV did a story with the Stewarts back in March when this whole ordeal began.

Since then, the government has been in touch with the Stewarts, as well as other families across the country, including some from Utah, dealing with the same concerns.

“The State Department called us and said they would help the children in succession, the ones who were closest to coming home, that they would get them each out,” Cherry Stewart said. “They even asked for evacuation information from these children. It was very promising and it all fell apart.”

Getting the kids home sooner

The Stewarts have since joined with more than 20 other families in hiring the Fox Rothschild law firm that deals with difficult international adoptions.

The family hopes it means their kids will get home quicker.

“They helped some U.S. families with adoptions in Ukraine when Russian invaded,” Cherry Stewart said.

“Seventy kids. We are not asking to move mountains. We are just trying to get 70 kids home,” Zachary Stewart said.

They are hoping someone in Congress can help.

“We are fighting for every child to come home,” Cherry Stewart said. “We really need a champion. We really hope it will come from our Utah senators and congressmen. We have received really positive feedback but we are still waiting for someone to stand up and say let’s do this.”

Zachary and Cherry Stewart hope when their adopted children from Haiti finally arrive in Utah that they will truly know they are at home. (Ray Boone, KSL TV)

The family also said anybody who wants to help can call or email their federal representative to let them know these kids matter.

For the Stewarts, they just hope it happens soon because there is nothing like a birthday party when a kid can play with their new toys in person.

“We talk to them all the time,” Zachary Stewart said. “It is fun because they will recognize it. We talk to them through the phone in the room so hopefully when they get home, they feel like they truly, are coming home to their mom and dad and this is our room.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

(FILE) The outside of the San Juan County Public Safety Building with a San Juan Sheriff's Office p...

Carlysle Price

San Juan County Sheriff’s Office found with statutory violations of county bank account

The Office of the State Auditor found statutory violations of the San Juan County Sheriff's Office bank account Monday after receiving complaints over non-compliance.

24 minutes ago

Snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon. (Courtesy Konda Quinton)...

Carlysle Price

Voters may need to bundle up as cold front hits Utah

If you're planning to vote in person on Tuesday, you may need to bundle up. Another cold front is fast-tracking toward Utah, bringing snow along with it.

1 hour ago

Rep. Brady Brammer speaks as he joins Gov. Spencer J. Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Sen. Mike McK...

Daniel Woodruff

Rep. Brady Brammer wins special election for Utah Senate seat

Rep Brady Brammer won a special election to fill a potential upcoming seat in Utah's Senate District 21, currently held by Sen. Mike Kennedy.

2 hours ago

mangled car with police lights...

Mary Culbertson

1 killed, 1 injured in Weber County crash

One person was killed and another was injured in a collision in Weber County on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

2 hours ago

A wanted poster for Gattlyn Nicholes who is on the run from the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office....

Michael Houck

Duchesne County inmate wanted after escaping during transport to rehab center

A man who was arrested for several crimes over the summer is now on the run and suspected of lighting a stolen motorhome on fire.

3 hours ago

Utah teens wear gas masks and ski goggles at Olympic Cauldron Park during a demonstration in suppor...

Mariah Maynes, KSLNewsRadio

Utah teens lead 2034 Olympics-inspired protest supporting Great Salt Lake

Teen environmental advocates held a protest raising awareness for Great Salt Lake, saying a drying lake could impact the 2034 Olympics.

4 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

Utah family obtains legal assistance to help get children they adopted out of Haiti