exposing the dark side of adoption
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Cases

abuse case
The assumption behind child-placement is that the safety and living conditions of a child improve. These cases demonstrate that this assumption is often invalid.
child trafficking case
There is often a fine line between adoption and child trafficking. In many cases this line is being crossed.
coerced adoption case
Adoption is assumed to be the result of a choice made by the parents of the child. These cases demonstrate women are pressured to give up their children.
deportation case
Adoptions before 1997, didn't automatically lead to naturalization. As result, people adopted from outside the outside US that ran into problems with the justice system face deportation to their country of birth.
disrupted placement case
Although the adoptive family is called the "forever family" by the adoption industry, adoptions can end in disruption. These cases demonstrate that the "forever family" is sometimes only temporary
father's rights violation case
Adoption requires the consent of both biological parents. These cases demonstrate that the rights of fathers in adoption cases are being violated.
wrongful medication case
Children in foster care can have serious mental health issues. Too often these children are given large doses of psychotropic medications, just to keep them quiet.
wrongful removal case
The removal of children from their family's should always be a last resort. These cases demonstrate that Child Protective Services sometimes remove children for all the wrong reasons
abuse case
2013 Nov 18
An 11-year-old boy in foster care with Wanda Sue Larson and Dorian Harper was found on the porch in his underwear, handcuffed and a dead chicken tied around his neck. Wanda Sue Larson and Dorian Harper also had four adopted children which were underfed, and regularly chained to pieces of rail road. Larson was a supervisor for the Union County Department of Social Services, North Carolina.
abuse case
2013 Sep 27


Asunta Yong Fang Basterra Porto, a 12 year old girl adopted from China as an infant, was found dead shortly after she was reported missing by her parents. Her divorced parents, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra, have both been arrested.  According to reports, the motive could be economic; researchers are trying to determine if the girl was the recipient of an inheritance left by the maternal grandparents.
abuse case
2013 Sep 26
Two out of nine children adopted by a woman from Mendon, Utah, used an electric dog collar as a means to discipline the children in her care.
deportation case
2013 Sep 17
Patt Henderson was 18 months old in 1973 when he was adopted in Panama by Edgar and Hedwig Henderson in 1973. The Hendersons were stationed in Panama on military assignment. One year later they returned to Ohio with Patt who was lived here since. Pattrick did not learn he was not a citizen until he tried to enlist in the Army. Then issues with paperwork minor legal skirmishes prevented him from obtaining citizenship.
Patt was arrested for missing an ICE court hearing when his friend's car broke down. (Patt cannot have a driver's license)

Status: In ICE Custody
abuse case
2013 Aug 21
A 12-year-old girl, adopted by Dave and Wonda Dixon, was allegedly sexually and physically abused. She was also deprived of food. The Dixon's had adopted a total of 10 children.
abuse case
2013 Aug 15
3 children adopted from Ukraine by Ukrainian natives Lev Dzyuba and his late wife Larisa Dzyuba were allegedly locked in their rooms for several months after Larisa's death from cancer. Lev's 2 sisters helped with the children, who were homeschooled, after Larisa's death.
abuse case
2013 Aug 15
Girl adopted by man from Blackman Township, MI, was sexually abused by her adoptive father.
abuse case
2013 Aug 1
Five children were adopted by Bernie and Melissa Harmon, in 2008. The couple confined the children in an attic, barely fed them, hit them with a whip and kept them out of school. Bernie Harmon is also accused of child molestation.

Erica Parson

public
abuse case
2013 Jul 30


15-year-old Erica Parson was taken in by Casey and Sandy Parsons two weeks after her birth, and adopted two years later. In November 2011 she went missing, however the adoptive parents never reported this to authorities. Upon investigation allegations of continuous abuse were made.

Erica was abused and maltreated by her adoptive parents, who encouraged their other children to abuse the girl.

Note: Given the preliminary state of this case, the abuse has been labeled "non-lethal neglect" (for the failure to report Erica Parson's disappearance).
abuse case
2013 Jul 22
A boy, adopted by Lee M Rager and  Diana J. Haley was allegedly tortured by his adoptive parents. He was kept locked in his room and tied up while being beaten. The boy was removed from school twice to prevent further investigations into child abuse.