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Baby Max Stuck In Middle Of Custody Battle

2,243 views · Published 3 January 2008 · 2:15 · Indexed 29 October 2026

Channel: KMBC 9 · 2008 · News & Politics

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A 9-month-old boy is caught in the middle of a highly publicized child custody case.

Gary Stocklaufer tried to adopt his cousin's baby, Max, last year. Stocklaufer claimed a judge denied him custody because he was obese.

A judge denied the claim and said Stocklaufer violated Missouri's adoption law by bringing the newborn into the state without first getting a court order. Meanwhile, baby Max has been living with Scott and Tandy Kraus in Grain Valley for six months.

The Krauses were told to turn Max over on Dec. 31, but the couple said they disagree with the order. They said they are also in the process of trying to adopt Max. Adoption experts said it's difficult for the families and the child in a custody battle.

"I work with enough people, older adults, that similar situations have happened to and they always felt they was a tearing, a pulling of this type of situation," said Carolyn Pooler with Adoption Support Network.

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