PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — In a rare international legal battle, the state of Oregon and a Canadian woman are battling over the costs of foster care for her 12-year-old son in Oregon for nearly two years before she regained custody.
Lisa Kirkman lost custody in 2008 after she left her son with his stepfather to spend summer vacation in Oakridge, near Eugene.
She regained custody in June but Oregon is seeking to have her pay the costs of foster care, which averages about $24,000 a year, and she is contesting the claim in a Canadian court.
On Tuesday, a judge in Calgary delayed a ruling until another hearing, probably in April.
Kirkman blames a number of factors, but says she’s battling the Oregon claim to help other people avoid similar claims in the future.
