Home  

Adoptiile lui Ringier

Adoptiile lui Ringier
 
Michael Ringier
Patronul "Evenimentului zilei" este suspectat de incalcarea moratoriului privind adoptiile internationale * Michael Ringier a avut mai multe intalniri cu fostul premier Adrian Nastase, pe vremea cand adoptiile erau posibile doar prin Ordonanta de Urgenta * In aceeasi perioada 23 de copii au luat drumul Elvetiei * Acuzat de incalcarea legii, Ringier s-a confesat unor apropiati ca, de fapt, a contribuit la adoptii pentru cateva familii cu influenta din Elvetia * La scurt timp dupa acest troc, baroneasa Emma Nicholson a denuntat ilegalitatile privind traficul de copii pe fondul traficului de influenta
Patronul elvetian al "Evenimentului zilei" a avut mai multe intalniri cu fostul premier Adrian Nastase, in vara lui 2003 si la inceputul anului 2004. Conform unor surse guvernamentale, cam in aceeasi perioada, 23 de copii din Romania au fost adoptati de familii elvetiene - sot si sotie. Cel putin ciudat este faptul ca intalnirile lui Michael Ringier cu Nastase precum si adoptiile celor 23 de copilasi romani au avut loc exact in perioada in care in Romania fusese impus si functiona moratoriul privind adoptiile internationale. Atunci, in acele conditii, un copil roman putea fi adoptat de o familie din strainatate numai "in situatii exceptionale", clar definite, si cu acordul expres al Guvernului, prin intermediul Secretariatului General al Guvernului, condus de ministrul Serban Mihailescu. Cum se vede, 23 de copilasi au fost exportati in tara de origine a patronului "Evenimentului zilei" deoarece premierul Nastase a fost convins ca este vorba de "cazuri exceptionale".
Primii pasi
Prima intalnire, oficiala, a patronului "Evenimentului zilei" cu Adrian Nastase a avut loc in zilele de 14-15 iunie 2003, la Snagov, cu ocazia "Retreat-ului economic al Guvernului Romaniei", care a avut drept tematica generala "Investitii, crestere economica si dezvoltare sustinuta - Romania - The Way Ahead". In a doua sectiune din prima zi a sesiunii, intitulata "Identificarea noilor modalitati de crestere economica", unul dintre raportori a fost "Michael Ringier, Ringier AG", adica viitorul patron al "Evenimentului zilei", celalalt raportor fiind Olivier Descamps, din partea Bancii Europene pentru Reconstructie si Dezvoltare. Trebuie sa amintim aici ca la data desfasurarii retreat-ului Michael Ringier nu cumparase inca "Evenimentul zilei", tranzactia fiind incheiata spre sfarsitul lunii octombrie a aceluiasi an. Co-presedintii sectiunii amintite erau Jonathan Scheele, seful Delegatiei Comisiei Europene in Romania, si Mihai Tanasescu, titularul portofoliului Finantelor Publice. In cele doua zile, conform unor participanti de vaza la retreat-ul economic, Michael Ringier s-a intretinut cordial cu premierul de atunci, Adrian Nastase. De asemenea, tot in cursul zilei de 14 iunie 2003, sambata, premierul de atunci Adrian Nastase a gazduit o receptie opulenta oferita participantilor la sesiune, care a avut loc la Vila Lac 1.
Atunci, conform surselor, patronul "Evenimentului zilei" ar fi facut primul pas catre o apropiere reala, chiar calda, de premierul de la acea data.
Pe de alta parte, prezenta patronului unui trust de presa de relativ mica importanta internationala, cum este Ringier AG, este destul de ciudata, avand in vedere numarul extrem de restrans al participantilor si mai ales "impresionanta" lor carte de vizita in afaceri, dar si ca membri ai unor asociatii si fundatii exclusiviste. Astfel incat Michael Ringier pare "o ruda mai saraca" a celorlalti participanti. Una peste alta, in vara lui 2003, patronul "Evenimentului zilei" s-a "lipit", pentru prima data se pare, de omnipotentul, pe atunci, premier al Romaniei.
Bresa catre inima lui Nastase
A doua intalnire a patronului "Evenimentului zilei" cu premierul Nastase a avut loc in ianuarie 2004, cu ocazia unui seminar international media. Atunci, printre participanti s-a aflat si actualul presedinte al PSD Mircea Geoana, in acel moment in calitate de ministru al Afacerilor Externe. La aceasta a doua intalnire, conform unor surse interne, dar si externe, Michael Ringier ar fi "apasat pedala" pentru accelerarea unor adoptii internationale, in ciuda moratoriului asupra adoptiilor internationale inca in vigoare la acel moment. Asadar, in timp ce baroneasa Emma Nicholson, aparatoarea orfanilor romani, se lupta pentru stoparea negotului ordinar cu micutii romani, patronul "Evenimentului zilei" cauta "brese" spre inima premierului Nastase si pentru ocolirea moratoriului. Conform surselor guvernamentale, patronul "Evenimentului zilei", extrem de discret si de prudent, ar fi putut scoate copii din Romania nu numai spre Elvetia, ci si spre Italia sau Germania, pentru ca apoi sa-i duca in Tara Cantoanelor. In plus, nu este exclus, spun sursele noastre, ca datorita discretiei impuse si practicate in acest gen de "afaceri", copiii sa fi fost scosi din tara pe alt nume sau prin interpusi din Elvetia, in primul rand, dar si din alte tari vecine.
Referindu-se la acuzatiile de incalcare a moratoriului privind adoptiile internationale, conform surselor ZIUA, patronul "Evenimentului zilei" s-ar fi confensat unor apropiati ca, de fapt, a contribuit la adoptii pentru cateva familii cu influenta din Elvetia.
Solicitat sa spuna cand si de cate ori s-a intalnit cu patronul "Evenimentului zilei", fostul premier Adrian Nastase, coplesit acum de asalturile Parchetului asupra familiei sale si de trimiterea in instanta a dosarului in care este acuzat de luare de mita, ne-a spus, dupa o pauza relativ lunga de gandire, ca pur si simplu nu-si mai aminteste cand s-a intalnit cu Michael Ringier!
Cert este ca la scurt timp dupa acest episod, baroneasa Ema Nicholson a denuntat ilegalitatile privind traficul de copii pe fondul traficului de influenta.
Omul tuturor oportunitatilor
Odata cu preluarea "Evenimentului zilei" de catre Michael Ringier de la grupul german Bertelsmann, problemele au inceput sa apara, treptat, pentru vechea echipa a cotidianului. Intai a plecat Cornel Nistorescu. Apoi a urmat mazilirea redactorului sef Dan Cristian Turturica si a "doua fuga in grup" din cadrul publicatiilor patronate de Michael Ringier, prin plecarea unei bune parti din redactie. A venit o noua echipa, un nou format si, aparent surprinzator, un nou sediu, luxos, confortabil si... controversat. Spatiu situat in complexul Novo Parc, detinut de oamenii Grupului de la Bacau, controlat de Hrebenciuc si de Magureanu. Patronul "Evenimentului zilei" se dovedeste, astfel, a fi omul tuturor oportunitatilor care, chiar daca nu i deschid, le creeaza prin intermediul publicatiilor pe care le detine si a amicilor de conjunctura. Odata cu schimbarea portocalie din decembrie 2004, "Evenimentul zilei" nu a primit numai un nou sediu "de fite" ci a fost si rasplatit cu din ce in ce mai multa publicitate. Se gaseste exact in postura pentru care ii acuza, constant, pe multi altii: "mita mascata prin publicitate de la stat"!
Romania

Madonna leaves Malawi after week’s charity tour

Madonna leaves Malawi after week’s charity tour

October 31st, 2009


LILONGWE, Malawi — Madonna has left Malawi after a nearly weeklong visit with her family, airport and charity officials said Saturday.
Officials said Madonna flew out of the southern African country on Friday. The 51-year-old celebrity arrived in the impoverished country on Sunday accompanied by her four children — daughters Lourdes and Mercy, and sons Rocco and David. Mercy and David were adopted from Malawi.
While in Malawi, she broke ground for her $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls and visited the orphanage that cared for her son David before she adopted him.
Madonna’s Raising Malawi, a charity founded in 2006 when she first visited the country, helps feed, educate and provide medical care for some of Malawi’s orphans.
Malawi, a nation of 12 million, is one of the poorest countries in the world. About 500,000 children have lost a parent to AIDS.

 
http://blog.taragana.com/n/madonna-leaves-malawi-ending-week-of-orphanage-visits-charity-groundbreakings-213704/

Malawi
Madonna

Conservatives' safe haven proposal panned

Conservatives' safe haven proposal panned

Published Tuesday November 10th, 2009
-->
-->
Canada

Court grants homosexual couple the right to adopt a child

10 November 2009 - 13H56  
- adoption - France - homosexuality
c
10 November 2009 - 13H56  
- adoption - France - homosexuality

Court grants homosexual couple the right to adopt a child
A court in the eastern French city of Besançon has ordered local authorities to grant a school teacher and her partner adoption rights, ending an 11-year legal battle that has divided the country.
By FRANCE 24 (with wires) (text)
Court grants homosexual couple the right to adopt a child
 
 
A court in France has granted a homosexual couple the right to adopt a child, ending a gruelling 11-year legal battle that has triggered a national debate in France and involved the European Court of Human Rights.
 
The court in Besançon, in eastern France, ordered local authorities to extend adoption rights to school teacher Emmanuelle B. and her long-time partner Laurence R. within 15 days, or face a fine of 100 euros per day thereafter.
 
The court overturned a previous ruling by a local assembly in the Jura department, saying the arguments advanced by the assembly could not “legally justify the decision to reject the request put forward by Mrs B.”
 
"The parental, educational and psychological conditions provided by the applicant are in line with the needs and the interest of the adopted child,” the judge ruled.   
 
The two women have strived to remain anonymous throughout the affair, which made national headlines in October 2008 when the European Court of Human Rights condemned France for sexual discrimination.
A court in the eastern French city of Besançon has ordered local authorities to grant a school teacher and her partner adoption rights, ending an 11-year legal battle that has divided the country.
By FRANCE 24 (with wires) (text)
France

Dictator's wife defiant over forced adoptions

Dictator's wife defiant over forced adoptions
Margot Honecker, a Communist-era minister now living in exile in Chile, left a cruel legacy of separated families
By Tony Paterson
Tuesday, 10 November 2009


Margot Honecker, wife of the former East German leader Erich Honecker, was People's Education Minister. 'We lived good lives in our GDR,' she says
enlarge
sponsored links:
Ads by Google

Forex Trading - GFT
New to forex? Try a risk-freepractice account today. GFT
www.GFTuk.com

Expat Voting Info
Find out how to register to vote inthe next elections in the UK.
www.AboutMyVote.co.uk/OverseasVoter
More than 2,000 Germans are still searching for family members lost as a result of the forced adoption policies instigated by Margot Honecker. The widow of Erich Honecker, the East German dictator who ordered the building of the Berlin Wall, lives in exile in South America on a German state pension. And 20 years after the collapse of the Iron Curtain she remains unrepentant. In a rare interview recently the 82-year-old insisted that people "lived good lives" under the regime headed by her husband.
The families torn apart by Mrs Honecker's children's policy would not agree. Under the policy, the children of dissidents and East Germans who attempted to flee to the West were forcibly and permanently separated from their parents. Many were placed in foster homes or state adoption institutions, or with the families of childless Communist party activists.
Many affected children and parents never saw each other again, but a search pool has been set up and is attempting to bring families back together. It has identified more than 2,000 individuals still suffering a family loss thanks to Mrs Honecker's legacy.
Related articles
The joy of freedom: 20 years on
Sarkozy challenged over claims of smashing Wall
Search the news archive for more stories
Eva Siebernherz, director of the programme, told The Independent: "This was one of the gravest human rights abuses perpetrated by East Germany's Communist regime. The state simply took away people's children. Parents and the children themselves are still suffering from the consequences 20 years after the fall of the Wall," she added.
Petra Hoffman lost two children to the "Youth Welfare" department. In 1971, as a 17-year-old government canteen worker, she had her first child, Mandy. The baby's father was a dissident, so Petra was forced to give up the child for adoption. "I tried to fight them but I was young. And all that happened was that they put me in jail as an enemy of the state," she told Bild newspaper. The judge at her trial called her "a rat gnawing away at the magnificent pillars of Socialism". A son she bore in 1974 was also taken from her and adopted without her consent. "They came to the door at night, pushed me aside, and stole him from his bed," she said. Petra and Mandy were reunited last month. She has still not traced her son.
Mrs Honecker was East Germany's People's Education Minister and was even more hardline about Communism than her husband. As well as forced adoptions, she introduced military and weapons training in schools. She fled to Chile in 1993 after the government in Santiago decided to reciprocate the sanctuary provided to its members by East Germany when they had fled the Pinochet regime. Her husband, in power between 1971 and 1989, joined her the same year, but died of cancer in 1994. He had initially fled to the Soviet Union, but was extradited back to Germany and tried for treason. His wife was investigated for her role in the child adoptions scandal, but never stood trial.
"I have had enough of the persecution that is inflicted on former citizens of the German Democratic Republic [GDR]," Mrs Honecker said in the interview. "In today's Germany ... there is hardly a television talk show, film or news programme that does not defame the GDR. But they haven't succeeded. Fifty per cent of East Germans say we are worse off under capitalism. We lived good lives in our GDR. You can say what you like, but the facts can't be ignored; more and more people are reminding themselves nowadays of what they had in the GDR. We can be sure that things are going to get worse in Germany, not for industry but for the working classes. But socialism will return – even in Germany."
At her home in Santiago, Mrs Honecker, once mocked for her blue rinsed hair, lives a life shielded from the press and rarely gives interviews. She is still celebrated however by left-wing South American activists. Last year she was lauded as a "Heroine of Socialism" in Nicaragua and decorated by President Daniel Ortega for her contributions to the cause of Revolutionary Socialism. She raised a clenched fist to show her appreciation.

Germany

Adoption Fee Adoption Link

http://www.adoption-link.org/kenya-program.aspx
 
 
Kenya Adoption Program Adoption-Link is pleased to announce our new adoption program in Kenya!

Adopting from Kenya:
Adopting from Kenya can be a demanding process, largely because the Kenyan government requires adoptive parents to relocate to Kenya for 6 - 10 months. Though living in Kenya would be an incredible experience for any family that can make it possible. Kenya is a major tourist destination and people from all over the world visit Kenya to go on safari, enjoy the country’s beautiful landscapes and experience their diverse culture.

Eligibility requirements include:
1. Married couples who have been married for at least three years.
2. At least one of the applicants must be between 25 years old and 65 years old, and more than 21 years older than the child. The applicants may be related to the child.

The Kenyan government will not grant adoptions to the following::
1. To a single foreign applicant (exceptions made for special needs children);
2. If one or both applicants is not of sound mind, as defined by the Kenyan Mental Health Act;
3. To applicant(s) who have been charged and convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for or of any offence against children under Kenyan laws. (Note: USCIS also requires a criminal background check to be done on all petitioners and may find families ineligible as well);
4. To gay and lesbian individuals or couples;
5. To joint applicants not married to each other.

Residency Requirements:
At least one of the adopting parents must reside in Kenya with the child for at least three months before legal procedures begin, though both parents would be required to go initially to meet the child and to attend the court proceedings Adoption-Link has an in country facilitator that will arrange lodging and make sure you are comfortable throughout your stay. Although some legal adoption steps can be initiated before the three months period has been completed, most of the legal work will only begin after the three month “homestay” with the child is finished.

Adoption-Link (Chances by Choice)
Kenya

+ 15 000 Mark fuer ein Kind aus Kenia bezahlt?

http://www.rnz.de/15_regional/heidelberg/05_heidelberg.htm
Westdeutsche Zeitung, 19.09.2000
+ 15 000 Mark fuer ein Kind aus Kenia bezahlt?
Von Veronika Schmitz
St. Hubert. Gegen die Vorwuerfe, dubiose Adoptionen in Afrika
durchgefuehrt zu haben, wehrt sich die Pro-infante-Vorsitzende Carla
Wiedeking.
Schlagzeilen machte Ende August die Organisation "Pro Infante" mit Sitz
in St. Hubert an der Bahnstrasse. Nach Angaben der Deutschen
Presseagentur (dpa) seien durch "Pro Infante" in Kenia fragwuerdige
Adoptionen abgewickelt worden. In 18 Monaten seien laut dpa 36 Babys
vermittelt worden; nach kenianischem Recht muessten Adoptiveltern jedoch
zunaechst mindestens drei Monate mit dem Kind zusammenleben. Die
deutschen Paare haetten zudem pro Kind 15 000 Mark bezahlen muessen.
Diese Vorwuerfe bezeichnet die Gruenderin und Vorsitzende Carla
Wiedeking als "grob unwahr, teils verzerrend". Zwar stimme es, dass in
der Regel Adoptiveltern zunaechst drei Monate mit dem Kind zusammenleben
muessten. Doch koennten bei Vorliegen besonderer Umstaende
Ausnahmegenehmigungen beantragt werden. "Und genau dies ist geschehen",
betont Carla Wiedeking, die selbst 17 Kinder adoptiert und aufgezogen
hat.
Mindestens sieben verschiedene Richter beim Hohen Gericht in Nairobi
haetten in 36 Faellen einer Ausnahme von der dreimonatigen
Aufenthaltspflicht zugestimmt. Die Vorbereitungen zu der jeweiligen
Adoption dauerten jedoch mindestens fuenf Monate, da auch das
entsprechende deutsche Jugendamt sowie die Auslaenderbehoerde dabei
eingeschaltet wuerden.
Zusaetzlich werde in Nairobi ein kenianischer Vormund bestellt, der vor
Gericht ein Gutachten abgebe. "Verschiedene Instanzen sind also nicht
nur in Deutschland, sondern auch in Kenia mit diesem Verfahren befasst",
berichtet die fruehere Lehrerin Carla Wiedeking, die ihre Taetigkeit vor
Jahren wegen der aufkeimenden Auslaenderfeindlichkeit aufgeben wollte
und dann nur auf Zuraten von Mutter Teresa weitermachte.
Die Adoptiveltern selbst seien dabei etwa drei bis vier Wochen vor Ort.
Auch die Summe von 15 000 Mark fuer eine Adoption stimme nicht. Die
Vermittlungsgebuehr selbst betrage 5800 Mark; weitere Kosten wuerden
fuer den Anwalt, das Heim und die Reise entstehen.
Pro Infante
Kenya, Germany

Management - Maisha Kara is managed by a six member board of directors.

Management
Maisha Kara is managed by a six member board of directors.
Nyambura Musyimi is the founder member and the Executive Director of Maisha Kara Trust. She is a child advocate and also the founder of Little Angels Network Society, a Kenyan adoption agency. She is also a convener of the Child Law Practitioner committee of the Law Society of Kenya. She has worked at Musyimi & Co. Advocates for Musyimi & Co. Advocates, a firm known for its family and children law practice for the 13years as the founder and managing partner. She has a passion for children in need of care and protection, championing of adoption laws and regulations in Kenya and connecting children to loving families.
Eunice Mwongera is a business woman who has a deep passion for children and their development problems.
Maureen Kuyoh is the Project Director at Family Health International, and holds a masters in population studies.
Marcia Vaughn is the Director of Children of Kenya, an organization that supports children in Education at Gachoka Constituency
Eliab Mulili, a member of the board is a Program Coordinator- Child Rights and Child Protection at Terres des Hommes Netherlands, Regional Office for East Africa. He has a Masters of Arts Degree in Rural Sociology and Community Development. He has immense experience in working with children having worked as a Senior Child Protection Officer at the Children’s Department, Office of the Vice President & Ministry of Home Affairs, Kenya.
Nyambura Musyimi

Little Angels Network
Nyambura Musyimi
Kenya

Blog: Awaiting our gifts from Ghana

Friday, August 28, 2009

Agency Changes

On July 24th we would find out Jennifer Press, with PfA, would be let go early from her position prior to her resignation. Adam and I were shocked to say the least. We felt we had truly developed a relationship with Jenn and she was the pilot of the Ghana Placement program. Our hearts were saddened and worried. Jenn was the sole person I had contact with and knew our journey up to this point. Were we going to have to start over? What would happen from here? After a few weeks of discussion and working out details, PfA decided to transfer their Ghana program placements to an agency known as Hopscotch Adoptions. Since Hopscotch was originally partnering with PfA in the Ghana program ... it only seemed natural and assuring. I have gladly been introduced to the Hopscotch staff and have had great feedback from their Founder and Exec. Director, Robin Sizemore. She is a breath of fresh air, an encourager, and has expressed sincere excitement for our journey. We sincerely look forward to working and traveling with her. Our Homestudy will remain with PfA and we thank Diana for making the best choice for our file and our children. Our Placement will now continue with Hopscotch Adoptions in North Carolina.
Posted by Gifts from Ghana at 10:02 AM 0 comments

Medicals

We anxiously awaited for any info on "Anna" and "Max." Upon our retainer agreement being signed and payment received by PfA, the Ghana agency would be notified and little "Anna" and "Max" would get complete physicals and their social work would be requested. We would hear back ... and we did!
The first joy of international communication ... our little ones were not 4 and 2, they are actually 5 1/2 and 3! Did this change our mind? Um, NO. They still need a home. They still need a chance. They had already become a part of our hearts.
"Anna's" given name is Anita. She is 5 1/2. Long legs, shy eyes, and a smile that often is hidden in her pictures but comes out every now and then. Anita loves singing and dancing.
"Max's" given name is Maxwell. He is 3. With a smile that radiates mischievousness and laughter, his social work states he enjoys playing with toys and football.
They are healthy and passed their physicals with flying colors. We would find out their Grandmother has been their guardian and she has relinquished her rights due to not being able to provide for them. This truly breaks our hearts. The loss she must feel. And the confusion Anita and Maxwell don't even know how to process ... we have our work cut out for us. And we gladly accept the challenge. And once again ... we want to hug them, we want to hear their voices, we want to meet our little ones ... in due time.
Posted by Gifts from Ghana at 8:33 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 17, 2009

A New Chapter ...


As we close the chapter to our house fire and rebuild ... we are anxiously awaiting the opening of our new chapter ... bringing our little ones home from Ghana!!!
They have sweet smiles and button noses. Their eyes captured our hearts. For security reasons, they would be presented to us as Anna, age 4 and Max, age 2. (... more to follow on that ...)


"Were we interested?" "Would we want to be their mom and dad?" We couldn't and didn't say no.
On May 21, 2009 we officially submitted our retainer agreement with PfA for a sister and brother from Ghana. We were ecstatic ... we still are ecstatic. We can't wait to meet them! We look forward to visiting their country. Hugging them. Kissing them. Praying with them. Sharing our family and friends with them. We look forward to providing them with an opportunity at life they might not have within their own country. Are we scared? Yes. Are we nervous? Yes. We're going to be parents ... there is no manual for parenthood ... thus, we move forward in love and faith. God has given us two beautiful gifts!
We have classes to complete, a homestudy to present, documents to put together, passports to apply for, fingerprinting to be done, a Dossier to put together, letters to be written, autobiography's to write ... so many items to complete ... and money to raise.

We move forward in faith ... faith God will provide us the time, knowledge, and funds to bring our children home!
Posted by Gifts from Ghana at 8:45 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 15, 2009

Conception

It started a year ago, or should I say ... "it was alway there." "It" being the desire to adopt. Our bodies weren't granting us pregnancy. The journey of life was throwing curveballs. Nothing we couldn't and wouldn't handle but definitely large speed bumps in the road. A 60 minutes special opened our eyes to children abroad who were in need of loving, caring homes. On August 19th, 2008 Adam and I signed and sent off our application to adopt through "Partners for Adoption." It would begin an unknown journey to being parents. Parents to who or whom? We were not sure. One child? Two children? Siblings? Boy? Girl? Boys and Girls? Baby? Toddler? Elementary? Haiti? Ghana? Africa? Mexico? China? Could we afford it? How do you put a price on a child? How are we going to afford it? Will I be a good mom? Am I ready for this? The questions flooded upon us. The thoughts which crossed our mind were many. The questions we asked ourselves and our agency seemed so trivial ... yet, we had no idea where to start. As our journey started and as time passed, our hearts were not settled with a country. During the months which passed PfA told us about their new partner program with Ghana. The children would be older. They wouldn't be babies. Perhaps it was something we would consider. And consider we did. As much as adopting an older child or children unnerved us, our hearts were captured by a little a girl and boy.

And so ... conception has taken place ... not physcially ... but within our hearts and within our minds ... we are going to be parents!!!
Posted by Gifts from Ghana at 11:44 AM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc., Partners for Adoption
Ghana

Mother's search for baby exposes clinic kidnap ring

Mother's search for baby exposes clinic kidnap ring

 

A mother's desperate year-long search for her missing baby has revealed a group of doctors and nurses who allegedly tricked patients into believing that their newborns had died, and then sold the children for a few hundred pounds.

The gang was allegedly headed by the owner of a small private hospital in a working class neighbourhood in the east of Mexico City, where Vanessa Castillo gave birth to a girl by caesarean section on 25 October 2008.

Castillo says she saw the newborn and heard her healthy cries before the baby was whisked away from her for routine tests. The next day one of the doctors who had attended the delivery came to her bedside to inform her that the baby had died and had been cremated.

Castillo said that after she was sent home she kept going to the hospital in search of her baby's death certificate and her ashes, but was repeatedly brushed off. A few months later, however, she received an email from the son of the owner of the clinic, saying that her baby was alive but had been sold by his father for 15,000 pesos (about £700).

The police investigation that followed led to the arrest this week of the owner of the hospital, two doctors, a nurse and a receptionist, as well as a psychologist who has admitted to buying the child and who apparently looked after her well.

Once tests had confirmed that Castillo was the mother of the child, she was reunited with her baby girl at an emotive press conference yesterday.

"This is the first time I have seen her since she was born," a tearful Castillo told reporters.

When she was asked about the woman who had bought her baby, she added, "I would like to thank her for looking after my daughter for the last year, but this is not the way to obtain a child."

Police say they have hard evidence of at least one other similar case involving the clinic, and that they are now going through hospital records in an effort to track down more.

"It could be an important number of babies," Mexico City's chief prosecutor, Miguel Mancera, told the Televisa TV network.

"They didn't just steal babies and give them up in illegal adoptions. They also issued false registrations of births at the clinic for babies born without papers elsewhere."

The arrested doctors have denied the charges, claiming that Castillo had gone to the hospital for a very late abortion, and that they gave the baby away for adoption to safeguard its life.

During the past year, Mexico City's authorities have been under fire for not doing enough to track down child trafficking rings.

Local newspapers reported this week that staff from the same clinic had been arrested in 2005 after another mother reported that her baby had been stolen in very similar circumstances. The prompt release of the staff on that occasion has now raised suspicions of past complicity within the prosecutor's office.

In another high profile case involving older children, at least five wards of court from dysfunctional families placed in a private shelter run by an evangelical church have disappeared without trace.

Mexico
« first ‹ previous117711781179118011811182118311841185next › last »