Russia demands reconsideration of adoptive father’s reprieve

Russia's Foreign Ministry is to demand a review of the acquittal of a man charged with manslaughter, following the death of his adopted Russian son.

Miles Harrison left his 21-one-month-old son Chase in his Suburban Vehicle in blazing sunshine and went to work. The boy died of heat-stroke after spending nine hours in the roasting vehicle.

On Wednesday, a Virginia county court ruled the American was not guilty of killing the Russian-born boy.

“We are deeply angered by the verdict of the Fairfax Circuit Court in Virginia. We consider it to be repulsive and unprecedented, even if in this case – unlike in others – it was criminal negligence that led to a tragic outcome, rather than deliberate ill-treatment. The decision of a judge, who did not see the crime in Harrison’s actions and released him without any penalty, goes beyond any legal and moral framework,” said the statement by the Foreign Ministry.

The boy, born Dmitry Yakovlev in Russia's Pskov Region’s children house, was adopted by Miles Harrison and his wife Carol three months prior to his death.