It is common practice to return or exchange something you bought only to later decide you don't like it anymore. However, this is normally done with store bought goods, not adopted children. One couple from Ohio pleaded not guilty after returning their 9-year-old adopted son who they cared for since infancy.

Cleveland Cox, 49, and Lisa Cox, 52, are charged with nonsupport of dependents. Authorities allege the Ohio couple left the boy with children's services after saying he was acting out and displaying aggressive behaviour and earlier threatened the family with a knife.

A defence attorney and prosecutor declined to comment after the hearing. The couple was scheduled to be in juvenile court later overnight for a pretrial hearing regarding custody of the child.

Adolfo Olivas, an attorney appointed by the court to protect the boy's interests, has said the emotionally hurt and confused child is now receiving help that the parents should have gotten for him, according to New York Daily News.

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser has said there are legal consequences to what he called "reckless'' abandonment.

The executive director of the Washington-based Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Kathleen Strottman, said she hopes the boy will recover from the traumatic situation.

"I'm hoping that ultimately there was a good cause for this prosecution,'' she said. "What everyone wants is a child protection system that first and always stays focused on the needs of the child.''

Greg and Robin Smith, another Ohio couple, last week adopted four siblings - ages 5 to 12 - who they cared for as foster children for several years, according to the Associated Press.

Ms Smith acknowledged some anger and other issues among the children stemming from earlier experiences.

"But you just can't give up on children, not matter how hard the situation is,'' she said.