Cases

5 children adopted by Robert and Stephanie Duncan were systematically abused. The primary abuser was their adoptive mother, who regimented and controlled every aspect of their lives. 

Three children, aged 8, 9 and 11 adopted by Joseph and Jennifer Wolfthal, were imprisoned by their adoptive parents, while denying them food, pouring cold water on them and forcing them to do squats. The situation came to light when the youngest child was hospitalized with kidney and liver failure, sepsis, pneumonia in both lungs, malnutrition and open wounds on her legs.

Two-month-old child in the process of being adopted by Stephen Kegyes and his hisband was being strangled by her prospective adoptive father.

A 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl adopted by Cory and Stephanie Valdez were abused by their adoptive parents. The boy reported he was forced to use the bathroom in a pickle jar, had to drink water out of the toilet, and was placed in a trashcan filled with snow. The girl reported Stephanie Valdez kicked her, tackled her, and sat on her when the girl would ask for more food. She was also sexually abuysed by Cory Valdez.

Damir M and his wife, Nadica; Subosic Z and his wife, Azra; Ladislav P and his wife, Aleksandr; and Noah K and his wife, Ivona were detained in Zambia in December on charges of attempted child trafficking used travel documents obtained based on false adoption documents. The 4 children originated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The couples were acquitted in Zambian court.

9-year-old boy adopted three years previously by his aunt Jamie Lynne Jackson was found dead in the bath tub. His adoptive mother was charged with criminal homiced. 

Anson had injuries to the anus and pubic areas, marks believed caused by cigarette burns and abrasions to the head, neck, chest, torso, legs, feet, arms, hands and back, the autopsy showed.

While in jail, Jamie Lynne Jackson died of a multi-drug overdose.

15-year-old boy adopted by Jesse and Felicia Franks, was starved to death.

10-year-old girl adopted by Randall and Susan Abney was starved to death by her adoptive parents. Both were sentenced to life in prison.

19-year-old mentally disabled boy adopted by Sharon Lambert died severely malnourished and neglected.

Three children adopted by Jose and Gina Centeno were allegedly tortured, sexually abused by their adoptive parents.