ITS TIME TO DISCUSS REAL CHANGES

I am going to talk about three active cases of women being taken advantage of by the adoption industry and the entitled adoptive parents involved in these cases. It bugs the crap out of me that these folks continue to hurt all three of these women.

A young woman named Stepanie Bennett. Remember her? Of course you do. In fact the adopters in her case have posted here as well. She is a young woman who was being threatened and harassed by the putative father. He had threatened to kill her and Evelyn if she continued with the pregnancy. He wanted Evelyn gone. The GlenOak high school counselor, Thomas Saltsman, is another criminal in this. She visited his office looking for a possible schedule change. Adoption came up. He placed an adoption agency's pamphlet in front of her. That agency was A Child's Waiting. This agency specializes in adoption disruptions. You can read about them here. The timeline:

11/05/06 – Stephanie found that she is pregnant and hid it from her parents until 3 weeks prior to delivery. She is tall, this is a first pregnancy and the popular baggy clothes worn by young people made that possible.

4/17/06 – Stephanie delivered Baby Evelyn Joann Bennett and named her for her Great Grandmother and her Grandmother and her Mother. The plan is that, with her family’s support, Stephanie will raise the baby.Stephanie’s parents are not wealthy people and Stephanie and Evelyn go on Medicaid

4/06 - Stephanie told her parents that the father was a school friend, with whom she had never had sex. She was desperately trying to protect her family. She lied to her parents because she was afraid of the real father who had been making serious and repeated threats against her family. Stephanie attempted to protect them from him and what he would do to her family, to her and to Baby Evelyn.

9/07/06 – After 5 months of repeated and serious threats to her family’s health and safety and emotional abuse from the putative father of her child, Stephanie approached Thomas Saltsman, Counselor, at Glenoak High School. Stephanie originally went to discuss a schedule change, but mentioned adoption. As soon as Stephanie mentioned adoption, Mr. Saltsman turned, got a brochure from his desk for A Child’s Waiting Adoption Agency and arranged a meeting for the next day in his office.

9/8/06 – Stephanie signed the initial paperwork that began the process. Mr. Saltsman signed as witness, in his office, at the high school, this was the ONLY meeting between Stephanie and the agency people, until the agency worker came to take Baby Evelyn on 9/12/06. There was no counseling nor protection offered to Stephanie. An attorney was present, as Stephanie’s “independent counsel”, but she also handled adoptions for A Child’s Waiting Adoption Agency on a regular basis.

9/12/07 - As a policy, Medicaid demands the name of a father, or they require DNA testing on any possible ones. The young man that Stephanie claimed was the father in order to protect her family’s safety from the real father went to have his DNA tested. Stephanie was to bring Evelyn in for her test to see if they matched, but Stephanie never came. She had already run away, as directed by the agency rep in the school guidance counselor’s office, to avoid the DNA testing. The involvement of a father in the proceedings would complicate things for the agency. Proven fathers have rights that require protection. DNA evidence is proof of paternity. No proof and there are only putative fathers, who legally need not be consulted. Evelyn was not tested, as she had already been taken from her mother by the agency.

9/12/06 – Stephanie and Evelyn ran away (at the agency’s suggestion, in the Guidance Counselor’s office, to Carrol County where Stephanie’s parents could not interfere). Also the last time Stephanie saw baby Evelyn. The agency rep came to this place and picked up baby Evelyn.

10/2/06 – Judy and Ranza Bennett got temporary custody of Baby Evelyn; went to the agency in Copley Township in Summit County accompanied by Copley Police. Agency told the police that they had spoken to the 17-year-old but told her that they could not do business with her while she was a minor and that neither child was at the agency.

10/16/06 - Judy and Ranza notified by Canton police that they were to appear in court on 10/17/06. Not informed as to why.

10/17/06 – Went to court, still no information as to reason. Stephanie appeared accompanied by A Child’s Waiting. Court placed Stephanie into a Respite Home due to allegations of abuse made against Judy and Ranza Bennett by the putative father who had been making the threats against Stephanie and her family, which stated that there was neglect and abuse against both Evelyn and Stephanie. A case worker came to their home to investigate the charges of abuse.

10/18/06 – Stephanie ran away from the Respite Home and called a friend, who called the caseworker who advises him to take Stephanie to Family Court. While in court, Stephanie tells the judge that she wants to return home to her parents and her sister. The Lawyer for Child Protection told the Judge that there was no sign of neglect or abuse in the home. Evelyn’s pediatrician stated that he had no concern about Evelyn being in the home.

10/18/06 - Stephanie then told her parents who the father actually was (there is no more information about the father available beyond this as yet, as charges are pending and any information leaked could jeopardize their case).Attempted to find an attorney who could handle the case and would work for payments that could come later, for Stephanie and the baby.Dec. 31, 2006 – Rick Armon’s article appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal. His original article is no longer available on the website.Early January, 2007 - Sandy Young called the Bennett family to offer help. They said that they could use it.

Jan of 07-. Hired Paul Reiners to defend Stephanie. He agreed to work on a pro bono basis, unless they won the case. In that event, they would owe him standard fees.

1-19-07 - The first time Stephanie went to court in Summit Co. with Mr.Reiners, and was not allowed in the court room. Paul Reiners came out of the court room and told Stephanie that the Magistrate, Diana Stevenson, had put a gag order on all parties involved in the case.

2/2/07 – Judge in Stark Co. ruled that the custody order of Ranza and Judy Bennett was no longer in effect; That another court had precedence.

02/03/07 Canton grandparents' adoption motion denied

2-21-07 - Stephanie went back to court in Summit Co, where she is still fighting for the return of her daughter Evelyn. This date was to determine if the Surrender could be overturned. The judge was to rule on this matter on March 27, 2007. The briefs were to have been turned in on the 23rd and she would rule several days later. Paul Reiners had said that he would have several witnesses subpoenaed including the putative father. He also had indicated that he would depose Joe Soll to testify to the effects of the coercion, the loss of her daughter, the psychological impact of the threats and the emotional abuse that Stephanie had been subjected to. He did none of the above.

March of 07 – Fired Paul Reiners

March of 07 - hired Jennifer Lowry, who obtained a continuance on the ruling by the judge and obtained the court transcripts. She could find no evidence of any gag order on any party to the case. She still prefers to have Stephanie remain silent, as a matter of choice, and to protect her, but her parents and the attorney are not so bound.

April 07 – Obtained copies of the complaint filed against the agency in the matter of Stephanie Bennett by her mother. The agency was found to be not in compliance in numerous areas. A copy of the findings is attached. So far, no actions have been taken against the agency by the state, despite being out of compliance.

April 9, 2007 – Meeting with Jennifer Lowry. She was excited about the Bennetts having a copy of the complaint. Also has started to plan a reunification.

December 2007 - Stephanie's mother was allowed to be in the courtroom. According to reports, the judges slammed the adoption agency and its attorneys. This family has to wait for 60-90 days to hear back on this case. It was rumored over the year that this agency was going to be shut down by the state but that has yet to happen. They continue to operate without any repercussions from the state of Ohio.

Another case is Allison Quets. This woman is very near and dear to my heart. I have fought diligently along side with her, praying that her case would turn around. These two stories recently came out about her. This one documents her sentancing. She was given five years probation. She has to pay $15,000 to the courts and $150.00 to the Needhams for their out of pocket expenses for their trip to Canada. She is now fighting in North Carolina according to this report. Honestly I feel she should have her children returned to her. There are folks out there that feel that this was a surrogacy case gone wrong. Nope. It was not that although the Needhams would like for folks to believe that. In fact they were the ones that put out the information concerning this. In fact, Denise Needham is a surrogacy/IVF counselor. So she put the real spin on this turning half of the adoption reform movement against Allison Quets. Another interesting fact about the Needhams. Mr. Needham adopted Denise's daughter. Then they moved to another state for eleven years. I can only assume was to avoid interference from her ex-whatever. I am surprised that we have not heard from the natural father of that child. They had just returned to the North Carolina Area when Allison's situation came up. Another interesting point - John Gurley's daughter was in and out of alcohol rehab. Allison took care of his granddaughter on numerous occasions without any thought of taking this child from her mother. The Needhams could have adopted his granddaughter but didn't. So I have to wonder why is it okay for them to kidnap her twins but not take care of their relative. In the Florida court system, the adoption attorneys, agency and John Gurley all fully admit to coercing Allison. This is in the court documents. Interestingly enough, all the judges in those cases all went with the Needhams. Why you might ask? So that there would be no legal ramifications against those said attorneys and judges. Judge Mathis should have recused himself from the case as he has connections to the Shorsteins and others involved in Allison Quets' case. One of these days all these court documents will come out and all will be revealed. The Nasty Needhams will be shown for what they truly are - kidnappers themselves. I have two friends that are very very familiar with Hyperemesis Gravidarum. This disease is a horrific disease. It is almost an allergic reaction to pregnancy. Another definition is an autoimmune response to pregnancy. One dear friend describe one case of this disease to me. A baby has died from dehydration via in utero. Pretty nasty disease. I do know that the ICPC rules were not followed in Allison Quets case. Between the very obvious coercion and the ICPC rules, Allison should have won her case. I hope that this new judge will listen to Allison this time. Allison if you are reading, I am your biggest cheerleader. I am hoping for you this year is the year for you. You can find their friend's blog/website here. Here it is again. http://www.needhamfriends.com/ Write them and tell them that they are wrong. Cruise the website. Look at those pictures. They conceal their faces but they don't conceal the twins faces. They even say they are all about the privacy of the twins yet they don't protect them but themselves and members of their deceiptful family.

Another mother that is still fighting is Ibaanika Bond. This is another story of coercion and lying. I wrote about it here. Without my knowledge I began receiving hits from an organization called "Contested." I finally began looking at where they were posting at. As I was reading the comments, I realized that I had a very entitled group of adopters posting here. I tried joining that group but had no luck. Well another friend of mine broke into the group. I thus got copied emails from this group. What I discovered shocked and nauseated me. Even my friend was shocked. We both felt like we needed to be bathed in bleach.

Here are a few of those emails. This is from the entitled adopter in her case. She was under the same gag order as Ibaanika and Craig. Yet she created this email list under MSN.

Two weeks ago we were told there was going to be an article in a weekly magazineThankfully it did not go to press. I apologize for not updating you guys on that one. We are still holding our breath. WE hope they decided to pull it but who knows.So we are checking weekly to see if it was in the magazine. I spoke with our attorney this week. I AM SO Frustratedas there are still so many steps until our state supreme court trial. FIVE MONTHS. WHY SID is allowed to do this is infuriating. Found out ED (egg Donor) was seen in a prominent part of town panhandling before christmas by the one of the attorney's with a sign saying help me get my baby back. SO sad. She is so delusional and so lost WHAT are they so afraid of? WHY do they persist in being so mean?

There was no trial. BUT there was resolution...>> Here is the finding.>> Jared will remain with us.. While the division of Family services> investigates to determine the most suitable custody of the child.>> Meanwhile.. SID has to call him JARED *SID was not happy with that* He was calling him his birthname>> WE got to cash the child support checks from the past six months...> *SID WILL NOT BE HAPPY ABOUT THAT *>> SID cannot relay info to birthmother SO IF SHE Shows up to any> court dates, visits etc.. it is directly tied to him and he risks> losing ever seeing his son again.> *SID WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT*>> Therapist will be involved to determine what visitation is suitable> for Jared.>> He will have to pay child support. We are licensed foster parents and> will be paid through the state. THE STATE will investigate Sid's emotional and psychological ability to parent and consider that the child is with the only family he has ever known. IT IS NO LONGER our attorney and our responsibilty to prove how unstable this guy is.. The state will investigate that. The workers are already outraged at the injustice for this child. My impressions was if they can't find reason for TPR or drag it out long enough .they would just leave him in fostercare with us...for him to screw up and we know he will Is the drama over NO... IS THIS A VICTORY YES!!!! We ponder at WHY would HE agree to these terms.. We are convinced. GOD blinded his eyes.. His lawyer has no idea what he agreed to... *Adoption is still on the table..* A GIANT WEIGHT has been lifted. JARED IS IN GOD"S HANDS.. We rejoice at having a judge who had wisdom in how to procede. GOD IS FAITHFUL!!!! -Got2bemaemae

A majority of those comments at the end of the previous post mentioned are from this group and the entitled adopter in her case. She and others consider natural mothers BMs. Birthmothers in their minds means bowel movements. It is all very appalling. Adoptive parents need to realize that these type of parents give them a very bad rap. It also gives adoption a very very bad name. Last I heard this group is now disbanded. They will probably stop and regroup either via email or by another group. Its a matter of time before I spot them again on my sitemeter. The judge in this case has copies of all of these emails but dismissed them because the entitled adopters also need a space to speak freely. I am fine with adoptive parents speaking freely but not with such absolute disrespect and harm. In time the kids in these cases will find the truth. They will read my blog and many others. They will demand answers. They will wonder if the adopters feel this way about their natural parents then do they feel that way about them.

NEXT THE FATHERS WHO ARE FIGHTING: A RECAP

NEXT: ADOPTERS WHO KILL AND ABUSE THEIR ADOPTEES.