Arkansas lawmaker defends 're-homing' his adopted children

Rep. Justin Harris (R-Ark.) spoke to Arkansas' KTHV this week about giving away his two adopted daughters.

Harris and his wife were foster parents for three sisters, and Harris adopted the two younger sisters, ages three and six. Harris said the oldest child had "severe behaviorial problems," and she was sent back to the state's Department of Human Services, KTHV reports.

Less than a year after adopting the two younger girls, Harris and his wife sent them to live with the family of Eric Francis, also because of "behavioral problems," KTHV reports. Harris told the news outlet that he and his wife "thought everything was perfect" for the girls. But in April, Francis was arrested in connection with sexual assault of the six-year-old girl. He is now serving two 20-year prison sentences.

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At a press conference, Harris defended the "re-homing," saying the adoptive children's problems caused his other children to fear for their safety. One of the adopted daughters allegedly killed a family pet. Harris also said at the press conference that the state's human services department "refused to help with the girls' problems" and threatened to charge Harris with abandonment, so he gave the girls to a second family, where they still live, KTHV reports.

Re-homing without state authorities is legal in Arkansas, but Arkansas lawmakers filed two bills this week that would criminalize individuals' transfer of adopted children without government oversight. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, meanwhile, says that the Department of Human Services now prohibits the re-homing of state-supervised children after adoption.