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

Utah's Capitol building...

Mariah Maynes

Anglers coalition to host Utah fishing day at Capitol

Utah Anglers Coalition will host an event highlighting Utah fishing at the Capitol on Feb. 10.

3 hours ago

Staff at Dugway Proving Grounds find several hundred struggling and dead eared grebes on April 15, ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

As many as 25,000 grebes killed by bird flu within Great Salt Lake, Utah officials say

Utah wildlife officials estimate 15,000 to 25,000 eared grebes have died in recent months from a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak across the Great Salt Lake, causing dead birds to pile up throughout the vital bird habitat.

7 hours ago

Salt Lake County Search and Rescue responds to an avalanche fatality in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Sa...

Becky Bruce

Avalanche danger to remain “considerable” across Utah, forecaster says

Forecasters expect "considerable" avalanche danger for at least a couple more days, after an active weekend for slides.

13 hours ago

Fresh snow in Franklin Basin on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. Search and rescue teams are searching for...

Kennedy Camarena

14-year-old snowmobiler found after overnight search

Search and rescue teams are searching for a young snowmobiler who went missing while with his family and friends.

14 hours ago

Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are on the rise across the U.S....

Michelle Lee

Simple ways to keep respiratory illnesses away

Let’s Get Moving Host Maria Shilaos spoke with Nicole Henry with CVS to learn what we can do to protect ourselves from respiratory illnesses.

15 hours ago

Skiers compete at the Dear Valley World Cup....

Emma Benson

‘Super Bowl of freestyle’: World’s best skiers compete at Deer Valley World Cup

The Super Bowl may be tomorrow, but they call this the Super Bowl of freestyle skiing.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

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.

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