Nathaniel Craver

Nathaniel Craver (; tr. Ivan Skorobogatov; February 4, 2002 – August 25, 2009) was a Russian-born boy adopted by a married U.S. couple whose death in their custody sparked a public outcry.

Biography Ivan was born on February 4, 2002, in Troitsk, Chelyabinsk region, and along with his twin sister was abandoned by his biological parents. At the orphanage, the twins were named Ivan and Dasha Skorobogatov, but the biological parents of the children have not been established. Nathaniel reportedly had fetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. According to his adoptive parents, these conditions led Nathaniel to self-injure.

Hospitalization and death On the morning of August 20, 2009, Michael Craver arrived at Geisinger Holy Spirit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with an unresponsive Nathaniel, claiming that he discovered the boy in that state in his bed.

Aftermath Nathaniel's cause of death was determined to be complications of traumatic brain injury, with severe failure to thrive due to nutrient deprivation as a contributing factor.

According to Russian officials, it is one of many instances of Russian children's abuse and neglect at the hands of American adopters. Russian authorities alleged that, at the time of Nathaniel's death, no fewer than 17 Russian children had died under the care of American adopters. Russian officials expressed displeasure with the Cravers' sentences and Nathaniel's death prompted treaty negotiations between the United States and Russia. This treaty required approval by Russian authorities for adoption agencies to operate (except in cases where the adopter and adoptee are related), and the monitoring of the child's adoptive home by social workers. The treaty also allows the potential adopting parent to get more information regarding the potential adopted child's medical and psychological history.