By David Sharp,Asssociated Press Writer

PORTLAND – The foster parents of a boy who became known as “Baby Jason” when he was found with multiple fractures and other injuries were forbidden by state law from publicly discussing the case for the past 3 years.

On Monday, Walter and Jane Riseman of Harrison were finally able to say thanks to those who offered prayers and support as they adopted the boy, now named Michael William Riseman.

The youngster doodled on a legal pad while cameras clicked before the ceremony began at the Children’s Museum of Maine. Later, as a judge completed the adoption, he tugged at his mother’s arm. “I want to play,” the boy said.

“This is the first day of a new beginning for him,” Probate Judge Joseph Mazziotti said.

The boy suffered from shaken baby syndrome and had numerous fractures when his parents were arrested at a Motel 6 on April 22, 2002.

He was a month old when Jane Riseman began caring for him at the hospital as he recovered. From then on, she was prohibited from answering people when they asked about the boy, who lived with them in Harrison.

That changed Monday.

“Now I would like to say thanks for the outpouring of love, the outpouring of support,” Jane Riseman said after the ceremony was completed.

The baby’s parents, Jason Hann and Krissy Werntz, were arrested on a warrant from Arkansas for the death of another child.

Police say Hann confessed to killing two children, a daughter in California and a son in Vermont. He’s currently being held in Vermont while awaiting trial.

They’re accused of abandoning the body of their daughter Montana in a camper trailer that was sold at auction in Arkansas. While in custody, Hann provided information that led to the discovery of the baby boy’s body in Arizona. Werntz was never charged.

As for “Baby Jason,” he had blood clots on the brain and fractures to the skull, ribs and legs. The baby had so many fractures that he couldn’t move, Walter Riseman said. “His body had no life in him except in his eyes,” he said.

These days, the casual observer would see a normal boy who loves sports and playing outdoors. He suffers some speech delays and sensory problems, but he’s in pre-school and he’s continuing to receive therapy, his parents said.

Jane Riseman said she has spoken to Hann, whom she described as mentally ill, and said he has expressed contrition for his actions. She said the mother was a “hugely naive girl” who was led down the wrong path by Hann. Werntz now lives with family in Indiana, she said.

Walter Riseman is financial director for Community Concepts Inc., a nonprofit community action program in West Paris, and Jane Riseman is a stay-at-home mom.

Married 15 years, they had six children before they adopted a daughter, Jessica. The family’s latest entry gives them eight children from 3 to 33.

“The Risemans are two of the most wonderful people in the world. They opened their hearts and their home,” said their lawyer, Clint Boothby.

They held the adoption ceremony at the Children’s Museum of Maine to call attention to good work done by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, which is a frequent target by critics.

“We wanted to make sure the word gets out that there are success stories,” Jane Riseman told reporters.

Copy the Story Link