Michigan couple accused of abandoning adopted son in Jamaica

A Michigan couple is accused of abandoning their adopted Haitian child at a Jamaican boarding school that was shut down due to abuse claims, leaving him alone in the foreign country for months.

Mark and Spring Goldman sent their adopted son Elijah, 17, to the American-owned Atlantis Leadership Academy in the island nation after the teen was accused of misbehaving, watching inappropriate content, and running away frequently, according to the Detroit Free Press.

However, the boarding school was forced to close its doors in March after it was discovered that staff members were abusing the children in their care.

Five school employees were charged with child cruelty and assault, according to NBC News.

While other parents rushed to pick up their children, Elijah’s parents, who adopted him at the age of 10, never showed up, leaving the teen stranded for the past eight months.

“I appreciate them for bringing me to the US, but they abandoned me,” Elijah told the DFP. “I’m staying strong, but it hurts.”

After living in Jamaican group homes, authorities flew him to Florida on Sept. 3, where his adoptive parents sent an unidentified man to take him to Utah against his will.

Refusing to go with the man, Elijah was sent back to Traverse City, Michigan, where he has been living in a hotel room under strict supervision by his adoptive parents.

The community of Traverse City rallied around Elijah, and even socialite Paris Hilton showed support for the teen and criticized faith-based boarding schools.

In a courtroom showdown, Elijah and his attorney faced off against his adoptive parents to determine his future. Fortunately, a foster parent named Teri came forward to take him in, and the Goldmans did not object.

“It’s just the right thing to do,” said Teri as she embraced Elijah.