1980. The Walter Polovchak case as it was covered, Soviet child remains in U.S.A.

1980. Original news coverage of the Polovchak family, whom moved to Chicago from the Ukranian USSR in 1980. When the parents decided to return to Ukraine and the Soviet Union, 12 year old Walter ran away. Mr. and Mrs. Polovchak sought help returning the child from the police, but instead custody proceedings were begun.

Despite lengthy court battles and much coverage at the time, the parents never successfully regained custody. Walter received political asylum from the courts and remained in Chicago, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1985 at age 18.

Walter Polovchak eventually re-established contact with his parents and began to visit the Ukraine regularly, as an adult. He continues to live in Chicago and is today married with children.