On Wednesday, local media reported that Denis Flynn, 23, allegedly adopted from a Russian orphanage by an American couple from Los Gatos, California, accused his adoptive parents of sexual abuse.
"The Consulate is aware [of the reports] and is actively working on it," the representative said on Thursday, adding that Russian diplomats will be searching for information confirming that Flynn was adopted from Russia.
Ralph and Carolyn Flynn now face dozens of charges, including allegations of continual sexual abuse, unlawful sexual intercourse and incest, according to San Jose Mercury News.
"We will look for information whether he [Flynn] was indeed adopted from Russia – that’s the first thing. Second, whether, in that case, he retained Russian citizenship," the Russian consulate representative told RIA Novosti.
Denis Flynn claims he was adopted from a Russian orphanage at the age of 9 and that his adopted father, Ralph Flynn, started forcing him to regularly perform sexual acts soon after, according to San Jose Mercury News. The adopted mother, Carolyn Flynn, reportedly became involved in the abuse when Denis was 15.
The sexual abuse stopped when Denis turned 19, and the victim first told a psychologist about it in 2012. According to San Jose Mercury News, Ralph and Carolyn Flynn were arrested in November. Ralph has reportedly been linked to another abuse allegation involving a boy he adopted in 1972.