Adoption Nightmares/Scams Recently on Dr.Phil t...

Adoption Nightmares/Scams

Recently on Dr.Phil there was a two part series on adoption scams. After living through an adoption nightmare I never realized that this was such a common problem across the country. Couples who are interested in adopting a child are often seen by these scam artists as vulnerable prey. The decision to give a child up for adoption is not one which should be taken lightly and once that decision is made and funds are exchanged it should be difficult for the birth parent to change their mind. Many of these changes of heart result in only heartbreak for the adoptive parents and in many cases significant financial losses. Using the promise of a child or infant, a group of unsuspecting couples recently brought their story to the Dr. Phil show. The promise was really all that truly existed in that there never was a child available for adoption. The woman in question lied about her pregnant condition and kept in touch with a number of couples, promising them all the child at the end of the bogus pregnancy. In one case at least money changed hands and in many instances "gifts" were sent to this scam artist. Apparently this individual operated this scam for at least a 5 year period before anyone tried to expose her. It is unclear at this juncture whether or not criminal charges have finally been leveled against her, but at the time none of the parties had instituted same. Many of these women were told that the "baby" they would be adopting had in fact been lost in a miscarriage. The couples had already decorated nurseries; purchased baby clothes and generally committed themselves to a child that never existed. When did the wonderful concept of adoption turn into such a wonderful opportunity for fraud? In surfing the net it is apparent that there is a large group dedicated to the rights of the birth parent. The group purports to defend the rights of the poor birth parent whom they assume in any adoption situation has been taken advantage of by adoptive parents who have money to fight costly legal battles to keep a child in the event the mother changes her mind. In truth the judicial system bends over backwards for a natural parent and the "poor" birth mother is often given free legal representation while the adoptive parents spend thousands in legal fees.