exposing the dark side of adoption
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Danielle and Brittany Tucker (Dornan)

public
1997 Nov 1

placement

Family Independence Agency (renamed DHS in 2005) Michigan DHS
Christopher Allen Tucker and Rebecca Lynn Tucker first adopted Danielle, who at the age of four was pushed down the stairs by her adoptive mother, in their house in Coldwater, Michigan in December 8, 1995. At the time it was ruled an accident. Danielle was born with spina bifida and Down's Syndrome. Despite what had happened, the Tuckers were allowed to adopt two of Danielle's sisters a month after her death.

Soon afterwards, the Tuckers moved to Trenton, Utah after complaints had been made about abuse the of Brittany, one of Danielle's sisters.

In November 1997 authorities found Brittany, 6-year-old at the time, starving in a locked basement room. The basement room was furnished only with bare metal bedsprings, a wooden spool, and a metal tub containing dirty brown water, which the girl drank from and bathed in. She had been in there for at least 5 months.

Rebecca Tucker received a sentence of 5 year imprisonment for the abuse of Brittany and 8 to 15 years for the killing of Danielle. She is currently imprisoned Michigan. Chris Tucker received a sentence of 1 to 15 year imprisonment.

All 3 girls suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome. Two biological boys and the 3rd girl where apparently unhurt.

Documents

Title Publication date
Experts say Esther Combs child-abuse case is unusual 2000 Apr 9
Mom who abused girl ordered to stand trial in 1995 death 1999 Sep 4
Mother is charged in '95 death Michigan murder trial a result of Utah abuse case 1999 Jul 29
Utah mom charged in daughter's death 1999 Apr 7
Christopher Tucker sentenced 1998 May 15
Foster parents sentenced to maximum prison terms for child's torture 1998 May 15
Mom gets prison for child abuse 1998 May 14
Story of Danielle and Brittany Tucker 1998 May
Confession in tot's death sends Tuckers back to jail 1998 Apr 30
Abusive Mother Admits Pushing Adopted Girl Down Stairs 1998 Apr 29
Abuse admissions leave feelings mixed in town 1998 Mar 9
Parents plead guilty to abusing girl 1998 Mar 5
Parents Who Locked Starving Girl in Basement Plead Guilty; Parents Plead Guilty to Abusing Girl 1998 Mar 5
Body of abused girl's sister pulled from Michigan grave 1998 Jan 24
No charges in death of foster child 1997 Dec 18
Cache couple will be tried in S.L. on neglect charges 1997 Dec 2
Witnesses Call Abuse Suspects Good Parents 1997 Nov 26
Parents can visit kids despite abuse charges 1997 Nov 24
Grandparents of Utah girl didn't want to give her up 1997 Nov 23
Trenton Couple Still Can Visit Daughters 1997 Nov 22
Was Pair in Abuse Case Subsidized?; Cache Deputies Ask If Child Payments Went to Pets, Fax 1997 Nov 21
Was Disabled Girl's Fatal Fall an Accident?; Michigan Child Was Half-Sister To One Found Locked in Basement 1997 Nov 20
Will Utah child-abuse case reopen 1995 Michigan case? 1997 Nov 20
Guardians of 31-pound 6-year-old are charged 1997 Nov 18
Parents of Emaciated Girl Charged With Child Abuse 1997 Nov 18
Officials seize items from home where 2 adoptees were removed 1997 Nov 17
Cache Home Searched; Deputies Look for Evidence Family Abused Two Girls 1997 Nov 15