Four siblings, currently (as of June 2011) in the age between 11 and 14, were allegedly abused by their adoptive parents. Between 2002 and 2008, several referrals of physical and emotional abuse were made, but were regarded unfounded after the children retracted their allegations.

In June 2010, one of the children again made allegations of physical and emotional abuse of the adoptive parents, initially backed up by one of the siblings, who later retracted the support of the allegations.

The Court of Appeals of California, Second District, Division Eight, believed the children were pressured by the adoptive parents to retract their allegations, threatening them with homelessness.

Girl adopted by couple in Kent, UK, was sexually and physically abused by her adoptive father.

Adopted son and 3 foster children removed from the home after allegations of molestation of other children.

John Michael McGuigan was also the foster home of Gabriel Myers until 3 weeks before Gabriel's suicide

   

13-year-old girl adopted from Ethiopia in 2008, by Larry and Carri Williams, died after being forced to stay outside the home on a rainy night. Hana Williams had Hepatitis B and was adopted at age 10 along with an unrelated 7 yr old deaf boy, Immanuel from Kidane Mihret orphanage. Williams had 7 bio children.

Both adopted children were beaten with various implements, hosed off, and forced to eat wet sandwiches and frozen food outdoors. Hana was frequently locked in a closet and made to sleep in a barn. She was required to use an outdoor hose to shower and port a pot for elimination.

The coroner said Hana's cause of death was “hypothermia and chronic starvation caused by a parent’s intentional food restriction, severe neglect, physical and emotional abuse and stunning endangerment.” Hana had H Pylori and Giardia (easily treated parasites). Hana weighed 78 lbs, having lost 30 pounds in the year prior to her death, and was about the same weight as when she arrived from Ethiopia 3 years earlier.

The Williams attended several churches but were home churching around the time Hana died. The Williams read and recommended "How to Train Up a Child". Both children were homeschooled and beaten with a belt, wooden spoon, a plumbing supply rod, and a gluestick.

A 16 year old girl adopted by Stacey Garrett Begay and his wife Terry D. Begay was sexually abused for months before being discovered by Mrs. Begay who fired shots at both her daughter and Stacey Begay. Stacey provided a written confession. Later he recanted and requested he be allowed to be free so “that I can keep on doing Jehovah’s will.” Begay is a Jehovah's Witness. Mrs. Begay was charged with perjury after Begay's conviction as she was not cooperative on the stand.
DNA proof showed that Stacey was the father of his adopted daughter's child.

Stacey Begay was found guilty of abuse in two separate trials.

3-year-old boy, adopted by Osanna and Angel Bravo from foster care was found unconscious in a bathroom, requiring immediate surgery for a skull fracture and brain bleeding. The adoptive parents were arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of child abuse.

12-year-old girls, adopted by Cynthia Greenwood was sexually abused by the biological son of her adoptive mother. Instead of informing authorities, Greenwood arranged an abortion for her adoptive daughter, to protect her son.

John Hintz was charged with felony child abuse for mistreating his seven year old son who he and his wife adopted in November 2010. According to reports the child was forced to do push-ups with closed fists on rocks while Hintz placed his foot on the child's back. That was after learning the boy had stolen a candy bar.

Authorities say when the child could no longer do push-ups, Hintz forced him to run laps until he had blisters on both feet.

The child told authorities he also was forced to eat all of his Valentine's Day candy and drink five glasses of soda in one sitting, causing him to vomit.

In a previous abuse and neglect report filed by Southern Elementary, it stated that on Feb. 10, both of the child’s adopted parents met with school personnel and told school officials they no longer wanted the child to have treats or rewards because they felt the sugar was affecting his behavior.

Three boys adopted by William Fox were sexually abused by their adoptive father. William Fox made headlines in 1981 when talking a teen boy out of committing suicide. Fox later adopted the boy and wrote a book about his experience. He also received the National Father of the Year Award. William Fox adopted 10 boys in total, three of whom filed complaints about sexual abuse.