What is your thought or opinion on this adoption story?

Question

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Story?id=4250114&page=1

For the Love of Anna Mae

Two Families Come Together After Custody Battle, Only to Be Torn Apart“But behind her shy smile and expressive eyes, there's a little girl who is torn between two families, two cultures and two countries. The centerpiece in a bitter custody battle, Anna Mae saw her world turned upside down last July when the Tennessee Supreme Court, in a stunning decision, ruled that she had to leave the family who raised her and live instead with a family she barely knew.”

“The Hes contacted Mid-South Christian Services, an adoption and family services agency who introduced them to Jerry and Louise Baker, a Christian, middle-class family raising children of their own in the Memphis suburbs. “

Answer 1

I think there is more to this story than that sight was telling us.  Mr. He was charged with sexual assault?  Did anything COME of that?  Why weren't the He's ready to take Anna back after 90 days?  What was the disturbance at the second birthday part?  

However, I think it's absolutely ridiculous that they would deport the family to china at this point.  The welfare of that child demands she be allowed to stay.  IF the He's were in the country illegally, then why would they be granted custody of the child...  isn't that like giving a child back to a Felon?  It makes no sense!  I mean, the kids were OBVIOUSLY born in the US, so they're US citizens.  If something funky isn't going on, they're parents are legally entitled to apply for citizenship, and the kids CANNOT be deported from their country of origin.  There is SOMETHING we're not being told.  

I AM glad to see, however, that the adoptive family is stepping up and trying to help the biological family stay in the country.

Answer 2

Considering there was never an adoption finalized she should have been returned to her parents years ago.

Now the Bakers don't want the family deported when they have been fighting to have the He's deported for years.  I just hope that the He's explain everything that they have tried over the years to receive Anna back when the Baker's were lieing thier way through court.

Answer 3

I think it's a incredibly sad story for everyone involved especially the little girl caught in the middle.:(

Answer 4

I think they should of just put her in temporary care of the grandparents, an uncle and aunt, or any suitable relitive.

Answer 5

I think the Bakers did wrong all those years ago when the Hes asked for their daughter back and instead the Bakers tried to terminate their rights.

Answer 6

I think that it's really sad and I can't judge who was wrong or right because I wasn't there. The saddest part to me was her relationship with the Bakers youngest daughter. If you have a siblings than you know what it is to grow up with them and them always being there. To have that taken away from you is horrible for both little girls.

Answer 7

a tragedy for the little girl

Answer 8

I am extremely saddened by the fact that this little girl is caught in the middle of something that she has no control over.  I am not sure which side is actually being truthful here- but I can only imagine, that this girl must be torn-  she knows the family that the He's gave their daughter too- and know there a battle -  very sad. I pray that whatever the outcome, that this precious girl will be ok.

Answer 9

This is NOT an adoption story.  There was NEVER any relinquishment or adoption of Anna Mae.  

I am very familiar with this case, and I'm glad Anna is with her family.  The actions of the Bakers were hurtful and deplorable.  I repeat, there was no legal adoption, just an entitled couple of so-called Christians deciding that if they stalled long enough and used enough intimidation (of her parents) and brainwashing (of her), they'd get what they wanted.  They made Anna ashamed of her heritage and paid her five bucks a pop to give "correct" answers to TV journalists about her situation.  The Hes have proven themselves better people by encouraging Anna to have contact with "the only family she knew" for all those years.

I wish Anna and her family all the luck in the world.  It's sad that they have no choice about going back to China, but I'm sure she'll adjust, and maybe the family will return to the US someday; they've said they'd like to do so.

ETA--The Hes could have not put Anna in the hands of a relative without shipping her out of the country!  They're immigrants.

Answer 10

Even though this is a domestic adoption case, this has been very thoroughly discussed within the community of people who have adopted in China. While there are some people who think Anna Mae should stay with the Bakers (the potential adoptive parents,) the VAST majority of people (at least on the discussion group I'm on) has been that the Hes (the birthparents) were treated VERY unfairly by a bigotted judicial system, and that the child ought to be returned to them.

I am absolutely shocked at the open racism expressed by the judge in the original case! Much of what he objected to about the Hes (the birthparents) seemed to be the fact that they were Chinese! How horrible!

I am so glad that a higher court has intervened. While this is hard on the child, I think it is in her best interest. And, the Bakers MADE it hard on her. What they did to keep the child was outrageous! (They probably thought they could get away with it because the birth family was foreign, and was going through very hard times. I guess they thought no one would listen to the birth family's side of the story!)

I'm thankful for this resolution, even if it comes a little late for the child!

Answer 11

SInce it is such a "he/she said, he/she said" story, all I fell is incredible sadness for this little girl. The trauma that she must have gone thru going back and forth with these families and issues will definately have an effect on her. I do give the Hes much credit for permitting the Bakers to maintain contact with Anna Mae. Good for them! They are thinking about her best interests.

Answer 12

I think the Bakers are deplorable, disgusting people.  How they can call themselves Christians is beyond my comprehension.  They kidnapped a child.  Period.

This case should also highlight the US government's  prejudice AGAINST foreigners other than Mexicans.  The Hes were forced to give their child (temporarily) to the Bakers because they had no health insurance for her, on the green card/visa they had.  But thousands and thousands of illegals from Mexico are insured and educated here--it is not an issue for them.  The Hes (and their American born children) were discriminated against for their race, who are not a 'protected' ethnicity.

Answer 13

What has happen to this young girl has been happening for centuries around the world - genocide by "White/Christian" people. Look at the uproar in Australia and "White/Christian" people apologizing to the aboriginal people there. Or more close to home, here in the United States. Native American Children are PROTECTED by federal law from being placed outside their OWN people. It is just sicken that people are adopting children like they would buy pure breed pets. When you do research into the majority of international adoption, these children are wrongfully taken and SOLD. What is more shocking is how it is a "trend" in upper/middle white class society to adopt "ASIAN" babies. These children aren't thought of as people/human but more as property and toys to show off financial status. The Bakers stated that Anna was "THEIR" daughters "best friend" "they do everything together" : just like a puppy/kitten would be to child. This is no different from slavery and when the "white" children had slave "pets". This child was not an ORPHAN or anything close. The only reason her parents voices were heard was cause they were here in America and had an idea of our law system. Just imagine the numbers of other families world wide wanting their children back and how many people here in America are actually "stolen, lost, and assimilated" without knowledge. This story should be a huge eye opener to "adoptees" here in America.

Answer 14

I don't think it's fair to this little girl to go through this. It makes me sick that birth parents hand over their children and then call the foster/adoptive family kidnaper's! These parents don't have to "steal" anything the fact of the matter is they hand over their children. "financial hardship" give me a break. This is America...there are hundreds of ways they could have made $ to better support their child. How about a 2nd or 3rd job?? I've had some horrible jobs to stay off welfare and help support my family! The bio parents certainly didn't go hungry..their "financial hardship" certainly did not prevent them from having another child! And if they could not get their life together in 3 months frankly they don't deserve that little girl.

Answer 15

I think she should get to choose as she is old enough to be able to decide for herself. She should also be allowed to get to know her bio parents but should be allowed to stay with those who raised her.