Mother Who Abandoned Baby With Down Syndrome Denies Divorcing Husband For Keeping Infant

The mother of the abandoned baby with Down Syndrome, Leo, is now denying that she divorced husband Samuel Forrest because he refused to reject their son.

Ruzan Badalyan, a native of Armenia, was harshly judged around the world when Forrest shared his story of how she left him one week after giving birth to their baby. At the time of the baby’s birth, Forrest decided he was going to keep and raise the child.

Now the mother says Forrest twisted the truth and the two came to an agreement about raising the baby in the father’s native New Zealand. She doesn’t deny filing for divorce, but disputes the reasons.

“The first thing that came to my mind after the diagnosis was that I don’t want my child to live in a country where certain stereotypes dominate the lives of people with DS and no opportunities at all.”

She also says the looks of the doctors upon learning the baby had Down syndrome, calls of condolence, and teary relatives had an effect on her decision.

“I saw the evasive looks of the doctors, my relatives’ tear-stained faces, received calls of condolences and realized that only a move to a country with such standards as New Zealand would entitle my son to a decent life.”

Badalyan also denies she abandoned the baby because she thought the infant’s condition would bring shame on her family.

While the mother’s desire for the baby to be raised in a country that values the lives of those with disabilities, this does not explain filing for divorce within one week of giving birth to a baby. Yet, Badalyan said she loves her baby.

She said the diagnosis of Down syndrome sounded like a verdict from the doctors.

“Your child has Down’s Syndrome.”

The perceived “verdict” seems to have heavily influenced Badlyan’s decision and may have caused her to abandon her baby boy. She said she awoke hours after anesthesia and doctors wanted an answer as to whether she was going to keep baby Leo.

“I had to make the most ruthless decision in my life within several hours.”

She said her husband didn’t support her but said he was taking the baby with him to New Zealand, and that she had no say in the matter. Badalyan also says Forrest said she gave him an ultimatum — give up the baby or she would divorce him — which she also says isn’t true.

She also said Forrest never suggested she join him in New Zealand.

“Sam has never suggested joining him and bringing up the child together in his country. Neither did he tell me anything on the day we filed for divorce.”

Badalyan’s words probably won’t change the perception of most people.

What is verifiable is that baby Leo is with his father, who had to solicit donations for airfare to New Zealand and resources to care for his son. Forrest has said his family will help him raise the baby.

Where is Badalyan in all this, and where are her mom and baby pics with the child she’s accused of abandoning but said she loves?

[Image: Viral Spell]