INDIANAPOLIS -- Ethan Long was one of hundreds of babies caught up in an international fight – forced to stay in the Congo even after an Indiana family adopted him.
But Thursday, after nearly three years in limbo, Ethan spent his first night at home with his family.
For almost three years, Ethan has been Heather and Brad Long's son. But for almost three years, he has been stuck in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2013, the Congolese government suspended exit letters – paperwork for already adopted kids like Ethan to leave with their families.
So, the Longs had to wait.
"It has been so long since our family has all been together," Heather said. "It's just … it is hard to believe that it is all over."
Indiana leaders like Sen. Joe Donnelly have played a large part in pushing the U.S. and Congolese governments to work together.
Ethan is proof that progress has been made, but to date, there are still hundreds of children stuck in the Congo waiting to be united with their families.
