[Bassette]

I have a couple articles of interest to Guatemalan adoption. Both are about the same police raid on an adoption agency. While the thread will be open to general discussion please refrain from making comments about any particular agency by name.

To new forum members, I want to impress that this article does not depict normal events for most adoption agencies. However, it is imperative that we are all informed of the good, bad, and ugly so that we can make educated decisions about our own adoption journey.

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/ar...iq_3222610.txt
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/l...?storyid=49283

[Shay]

Thanks for the info Steph! It has to be hard to really do your homework. I mean what if these folks did their homework and still gets burned. That is awful!!

[AwaitingBeloved]

Oh my. I had heard about this agency, and when we considered int'l adoptions, they were one we considered. Wow, you really just don't know.

Thanks for sharing this.

[alyssa&avery]

Steph,

Thanks for posting this! I can never stress to peeps enough how important it is that you research a potential agency(s) very carefully. Use as many sources available to you ---and with the internet there are a lot! Don't rely on one or two references provided by the prospective agency (like they'd put you in touch with someone who didn't like them). Use the feedback option here, the BBB, other Yahoo groups etc before committing to an agency!

Yes, it is still possible to pick an agency that you may have trouble with but this should cut down the risk considerably. Also, make sure that the feed-back that you're getting is recent. An agency that had a sparkling reputation a year ago may have gone through some changes and now have a less than stellar reputation!

[angelkisses0102]

Things that make you go hmmmm....can you post this on the Russia board to?

[Babybmine]

How horrible. That is all I can say is HOW HORRIBLE>
Carla

[Bassette]

There were a couple situations back in 2003 that are similar to this, if anyone cares to search the archives.

The only advice that I can add to prevent a situation like this is,.......

Not only research your agency but research the folks they work with in Guatemala. I get PMs almost daily inquiring about my agency but rarely does anyone ask about my facilitator or attorney. That is just as important,...heck maybe even more. You can complete an adoption if your agency pulls out or shuts down but if the fac in Guat or attorney close down shop it would be incredibly difficult to complete the case. It can be done, but will likely add heaps of time and cost.

With that said, I want to say that anyone who is or will be caught in the middle of this situation is in no way at fault. There is absolutely nothing to feel guilty about and I did not intend to suggest they didn't do their homework. I'm just throwing that out there for future Afamilies to consider.

[mattecook]

Thanks for the news link Steph. Thanks to this forum hopefully we can steer people towards ethical agencies that is why so many of us stick around year after year!! I feel really bad for this woman and hope that she receives her money back but I know more importantly she would love to have that child that was referred to her.

Praying for this woman
Ami

[BebitosMama]

Just wanted to add an additional point.

Some agencies -- including the one mentioned in these articles -- have numerous different website domains that may look like different agencies, but are all actually feeding into the same agency.

Don't assume that just because you saw a listing of a child on "www.isntthisacutekidfromguatemala.com"* that has "Cute Kids from Guatemala" as the page header and title doesn't mean that that's the name of the agency or service...

Some agencies also have different dba (doing business as) names, or are actually incorporated with multiple names, but are run by the same people.

All the more reason to ask ask ask, and ask again, and when you think you've asked everyone you can find, try one more time!!!

Mary

* A made up name, of course!

[coachmom]

bumping...

[Mary Mulcahy]

Everyone should read this. I know of folks who really got scammed.
Mary, mom to Danny and Ricco
PS, if true, there should be a special punishment for rats who prey on the kids and hopeful parents.

[ivysmom]

thanks for posting yes that is true that many agencies have different offices in different states and slightly or totally different names or one agency will process the adoption for another agemcy that got the refferral. It is insane the things that go on behind the curtains so to say. These things do happen more often than people know or care to think about. You need to research and also take your time at looking at what responses you get back just dont ask at one place you need to ask at many places like a previous poster said. there have been things about the agency in the past that i ahve heard and also about many others but sadly they will still be in business under a new name in a new state with anew director. sick just sick. It is very important to ask about guate attys and faciliataors becuase they often work wiht a few agencies so if you find a good one you might want to look at an agecny that they work with. us old timers stay around to try and help people
Nina

[brink]

I have a friend who recieved a video from said agency a few yrs back. She was really anxious to adopt and wanted to trust them. The child in the video looked a lot like her bio son. I convinced her to call my agency to ask if they knew anything about said agency's reputation. My agency referred her to the Russian interpreter they use. The interpreter cautioned her about this agency from her own experiences with them. Didn't come right out and give her concrete facts, but threw up some red flags. Interpreter told my friend sometimes children shown on videos aren't necessarily available for adoption, but might just be kids in the community, children belonging to caregivers, etc. Bait and hook approach to adoptions. Not sure this was the case, but it was enough of a red flag that this interpreter had hesitancies, my friend did not pursue it. My agency I totally trust and has a proven track record over 20yrs of ethical, completed adoptions.

[kelleymac]

I want to bump this and add my plea to future parents to PLEASE research, research, research. Adoption is a rollercoaster enough without becoming prey to a fraudulent agency like the one in this article.

There are many here who will share their experiences both positive and negative about agencies.

One final thought: don't just poll people in process, ask those who have completed an adoption about their experience. They will feel free to give you the unvarnished truth because their child is no longer "at stake" if they talk openly about their agency.

My heart goes out to anyone caught in this tragedy.

Kelley

[coachmom]

bumping for today...