Russians outraged over boy's punishment by adoptive American mother

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Officials in Russia are closely watching a case involving an Alaska woman who is charged with child abuse after a video that aired on "Dr. Phil" showed her punishing her adopted Russian son by squirting hot sauce in his mouth and forcing him into a cold shower.

Officials in Russia say they have not ruled out pushing for the return of the 7-year-old boy to his native country should his adoptive mother, Jessica Beagley of Anchorage, be found guilty.

Russia and U.S. officials are concluding work on a new, binding agreement to cover adoptions between the two countries. Russia demanded such an agreement after a Bedford County,Tennessee, adoptive mother put her 7-year-old boy on a plane back to Moscow last year, unaccompanied by an adult.