Anger at US abuse of adopted boy

Russian officials are monitoring a case involving a US mother of six who was charged with child abuse after a video was aired on TV showing her punishing her adopted Russian son by squirting hot sauce into his mouth and forcing him into a cold shower.

The case has sparked uproar in Russia at a time when it is nearing completion of a bilateral treaty with the US on adoption. Russia called for a formal agreement following the deaths of Russian children who were abused or neglected by their adoptive American parents in recent years.

Russian officials said they might demand the return of the seven-year-old boy should his adoptive mother, Jessica Beagley, be found guilty.