by Amanda Hara
Shelbyville, Tenn.- A Bedford County woman is under international scrutiny after sending her seven year old adoptive son back to Russia alone.
Torry Hansen is the adoptive mother. She graduated from MTSU with a Masters Degree, she's a registered nurse with Veterans Affairs, and when the adoption agency called to check in in January, she told them everything was fine.
In September of 2009 a camera captured the moment when Torry Hansen took Artem Saveliev as her own son. He was a Siberian orphan; she was an MTSU educated registered nurse, living in Shelbyville.
Seven months have passed, and video of Artem landing alone in Moscow makes it painfully clear that Torry Hansen had a change of heart.
Artem's adopted Grandmother said she's the one who put the child on a plane Thursday from Nashville to Russia and paid a man 200 dollars to take the child to the Russian Education and Science Ministry.
That's where officials found a typed letter tucked in Artem's backpack. In it, Torry Hansen explained her decision. She wrote, "This child is mentally unstable. He is violent and has severe psychopathic issues/behaviors. I was lied to and misled by the Russian Orphanage workers and director regarding his mental stability and other issues. After giving my best to this child I am sorry to say that for the safety of my family, friends, and myself, I no longer wish to parent this child. As he is a Russian national, I am returning him to your guardianship and would like the adoption disannulled."
Back in Tennessee, Russian, National and local television crews descended on Shelbyville hoping for clues in the story that even mystified police.
Bedford County Sheriff's Department Captain Becky Hord said, "As a mother I'd just like to ask her what we're you thinking as a police officer I'm suspicious as to has something occurred and is this why you got rid of this child?"
Police have been trying since yesterday to track Hansen down.
Captain Hord said, "It's as if she's vanished no cooperation from the family to locate her."
Hansen even agreed to meet with Bedford County investigators Friday afternoon, but backed out at the last minute.
Russian reports claim Artem described his adoptive mother as abusive, sparking authorities there to suspend all American adoptions.
Meanwhile, the mystery in Shelbyville continues. Who is Torry Hansen? Where is she now, and why did the picture from seven months ago look so happy compared to the desperate images we woke up to Friday morning?
Bedford County officials want to figure out if abuse actually happened, and if it happened in their county. If so, Hansen could face charges.
Also another big mystery here. The Bedford County School system has no record of Artem, or Hanson's 10 year old biological son Logan ever being enrolled in school or home schooling.
Deputies are trying to figure out if they were schooled in another county.
If not, Hansen could face charges.
The adoption agency that handled this case is based out of Washington State.
Officials there said they were never contacted by the Hansen family about this case, and only learned of it through Russian officials.
ahara@newschannel5.com
