Hi Claudia, I hope everything is going well with your surgery.
I stayed up late last night and read the story of your very cool reunion. I, too, am a birthmother. I lost my son to adoption in 1979. We have been reunited after a few years of searching by me. He is easy going and looks just like me (poor guy). I also am writing about my experience, but privately so far. Although I hope to make it public one day.
Anyway, your story inspired me. I wish you lived closer to me (although my son lives in southern Maine so I try to visit the northeast as often as possible). I would love to get to know you better. Does the MSN adoption site still exist?
We also have the healthcare issue in common. Besides adoption, in my book it is the most important political issue we are dealing with today.
Join adoptive child advocates around the world. SIGN THIS PETITION
Call for Full Investigation into Amelya Frances Kirkpatrick' s Adoption in Utah According to a court document obtained by PEAR, on February 9, 2010, Scott and Karen Banks, former owners of adoption agency Focus on Children, were allowed to adopt another child, originally from China. The Banks were indicted on 135 Federal counts in 2007 for a fraudulent adoption scheme in Samoa. In 2009, they pled guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Improper Entry of an Alien in a plea deal made with the US Attorney's office in Utah. They were given a sentence of five years probation during which time they are forbidden to participate in the adoption business and are required to make payment into a trust for the victims.
The recent adoption occurred after evidence of their illegal activities with their Samoan adoption program were put on record in Utah courts. Also supplied was information regarding the Banks two previously adopted Romanian children.
According to numerous media sources and their now-adult Romanian daughter's own affidavit, this child and her sibling were flown to Samoa by Scott Banks and left without legal documentation in 2000, leaving these adoptees in a legal limbo. In addition, according to an affidavit given by their caregiver in Samoa, the Banks have had no contact with either child since their arrival, nor have they supported the children in any way since abandoning them in Samoa.
Furthermore, a third child of the Banks, suffering from cerebral palsy and also adopted from Romania, has been alleged in various documents to have been severely neglected in their home. This child was placed in a group home in Utah.
PEAR believes that anyone convicted of crimes involving children should be barred from the possibility of adopting any other children. We also believe that any parents convicted of or with a history of legitimate allegations of child abuse and neglect should be barred from adopting children.
PEAR opposes any practice that does not protect the rights of the child to live a life free from abuse and neglect with qualified and loving adoptive parents. To not hold these rights paramount in an adoption proceeding undermines every moral and ethical standard that each child deserves.
We are sponsoring a petition to be sent to the Governor of Utah asking his office to open an investigation into how and why this family was allowed to adopt another child given their dubious history. If you agree with the statements made please take a moment to sign the petition.
The petition can be found at http://www.ipetitio ns.com/petition/ utahadoption/
Hey there! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! Feel free to hyjack this post and vent away; I support free Musings for all. If you want, please consider sharing your story! Check out the Contact page for more information!
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Hey there! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment! Feel free to hyjack this post and vent away; I support free Musings for all.
If you want, please consider sharing your story! Check out the Contact page for more information!