Yaacov and Simcha Turgeman of Lod said their last goodbyes Tuesday to 2-year-old Caroline, the Brazilian child they thought they had adopted legally in South America in 1986.
The Supreme Court ruled on June 16 that Caroline must be returned to her natural mother, Rosilda Goncales, who came to Israel to claim custody of the child she named Bruna.
While the court originally gave the Turgemans a month to part with their adoptive daughter, that was overruled Sunday by Justice Menahem Elon, on the advice of a psychologist.
A swift break was considered best for the child and the only parents she has known. Bruna and her mother flew back to Brazil Wednesday.
Goncales claimed her child was kidnapped as an infant to Paraguay and subsequently sold for adoption by the childless Israeli couple.
The Turgemans were not aware they were dealing with an illegal adoption ring when they acquired Caroline.
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