Coloradan, 47, has adoption annulled, cites abusive parents

The Denver Post

Author: Andy Vuong Special to The Denver Post

A 47-year-old Colorado man who was sold by a baby broker to adoptive parents for $200 shortly after his birth has had his adoption annulled by a Florida judge.

Michael Chalek, a resident of Estes Park, will have his birth certificate amended to add his biological mother's name.

Adoption annulments are rare, and this is believed to be the first time a new birth certificate will be issued, adoption experts said.

"I feel like there has been this large mental albatross removed from my life," said Chalek, who received the court order Monday.

Chalek, a former resident of Boca Raton, Fla., told Circuit Judge Maurice Giunta last month that his adoptive parents, both of whom are dead, had sexually and physically abused him.

"I had a mother who fondled me until I was 11," Chalek said.

Divorce documents introduced by Chalek's attorney indicated that Chalek's adoptive mother was promiscuous and had a violent temper. The documents also showed that his adoptive father had been found guilty of harming his wife.

Chalek was born Jan. 25, 1952, in Jacksonville, Fla., to Winnie Faye Higginbotham Yarber. Records show that eight days after birth, he went home with Alex and Adela Chalek with the help of baby broker Lenora Fielding.

"I was bought and sold like a piece of meat," said Chalek, a commodity trader and fund advisory manager. "I was very unhappy for a long time."

Chalek's adoptive parents both died of lung cancer in the early 1990s.

"They left me $1 inheritance and gave everything to their biological son," Chalek said Wednesday.

After finding out about his adoption at age 11, Chalek tried to learn more about his biological parents.

In 1998, a judge granted Chalek access to his confidential records.

The records showed that Yarber asked a state worker if she could get her baby back.

It also revealed that she was coerced by Fielding to use a false name on adoption documents. Chalek found out that his adoption papers listed him as Baby Boy Barnwell.

"I feel that I not only have accomplished a milestone in my life, but I also feel its been one large leap for mankind because it now gives a pathway for other adoptees who are abused and would like to have adoption annulled," Chalek said.

Chalek has lived in Estes Park for about a year with his wife, Susan, and their 11-year-old son.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.