Adoptive Parents are often seen as heroes. They open their homes to children who need care, providing food, shelter, and love. But, sadly, some adoptive parents neglect, abuse, or even kill the children they’re supposed to protect. It’s important to remember that not all adoptive parents are heroes, and sometimes, that can harm the very children they’ve taken in.
Myka Staufer
“Re-Homing” is when adoptive parents change their minds and give away their adopted child. One of the most talked-about cases is Huxley Staufer. The Staufer family adopted Huxley, a young boy from China, in 2017. Myka Staufer, the mother, became a popular Mommy Blogger, especially because she talked about Huxley’s autism and how willing she seemed to be to care for him.
But behind the scenes, the truth was different. The Staufers said Huxley was too difficult to handle, so they placed him in a care home. This decision was met with a lot of criticism, and the couple faced international condemnation. Law enforcement in Ohio is now investigating the Staufers and Huxley’s rehoming to ensure Huxley’s safety.
Tony Spilotro
Tony Spilotro, a notorious Las Vegas mobster, instilled fear in everyone who knew him. He was known for violence and ran the Hole in the Wall Gang in Las Vegas. His life was depicted in the movie Casino, where the character Nicky Santoro was based on him. Spilotro’s criminal life affected his family, including his wife Nancy and their adopted son Vincent. Vincent remembers seeing his father beat a man unconscious and police officers shooting up their home. After Tony Spilotro’s death in 1986, Vincent was able to live a law-abiding life, free from his father’s legacy.
Mr. and Mrs. Hammersley
In 1952, Mr. and Mrs. Hammersley adopted William, hoping to provide a happy home. However, William was repeatedly whipped by his adoptive father and sexually abused by an Anglican minister. William later wrote that his adoptive parents used the abuse as a way to gain favor in the church to adopt a daughter. He dropped out of school and struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and depression.
Despite his difficult past, William managed to turn his life around. In 2019, he applied for an Adoption Discharge, which legally recognized his biological parents as his legal parents. The request was granted, but sadly, William died from cancer shortly after.
Jeane Newmaker
In 1996, Jeane Newmaker adopted 7-year-old Candace, who had been in foster homes her whole life. Candace had trouble bonding with her new mother. Newmaker took Candace to a therapist named Connell Watkins, who practiced “re-birthing” therapy. This therapy, which is not supported by psychiatric organizations, involves wrapping a patient in pillows and blankets to simulate birth.
On April 18, 2000, Candace was wrapped in pillows and blankets by five adults. During the 40-minute session, Candace said she couldn’t breathe and was going to die, but no one helped her. After 40 minutes, she said “no” when asked if she wanted to be born. It was her last word before she slipped into a coma and died the next day. Everyone involved was charged with child abuse and served prison time.
Woody Allen
Woody Allen never formally adopted Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter, Soon Yi Previn, but he played a significant role in her upbringing. Allen’s relationship and marriage to Soon Yi is considered shocking. Allen met Soon Yi in 1979, when she was adopted by Mia Farrow. Although their relationship didn’t begin until Soon Yi was 20, there were rumors of nude photos of her, allegedly taken by Allen when she was underage.
In 1992, Allen’s adopted daughter Dylan Farrow accused him of sexually abusing her throughout her childhood, starting when she was 7. Allen has dismissed the public condemnation of his relationship with Soon Yi. As of today, Allen and Yi are still married with children, and Allen has never faced legal actions for his activities.
Lauri and Britta Wuornos
Lauri and Britta Wuornos were the parents of Diane Wuornos and the grandparents of Kieth and Aileen Pittman. In 1960, Keith and Aileen went to live with their grandparents and were legally adopted. According to Aileen, both of her grandparents were alcoholics, and her adoptive father was extremely abusive. He allegedly forced Aileen to strip naked and beat her, and he also sexually abused her.
In 1971, Aileen gave birth to a son fathered by one of Lauri’s friends, whom she was forced to give up for adoption. The abuse continued until Britta Wuornos died, and Lauri kicked Aileen out of the house. Aileen turned to prostitution to survive. This trauma stayed with Aileen, and she became America’s first female serial killer, murdering at least 7 men. At her trial, her defense used her childhood abuse as a mitigating factor. Aileen was sentenced to death and executed in 2002.
Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz
David Berkowitz was adopted by Nathan and Pearl Berkowitz, who were unprepared to raise a child. Nathan considered the adoption a mistake. They did little to control David’s violent anger. David’s behavior worsened after his adoptive mother Pearl died when he was 14. Nathan remarried and moved the family to Florida, which negatively affected David’s mental state.
David joined the army, where he learned how to handle firearms. After the army, he returned to New York City and lived alone. Mental illness and anger led him to commit his first murders on Christmas Eve 1975. He terrorized New York City, gunning down random couples. He contacted the police, declaring himself to be The Son of Sam. He was caught after receiving a parking ticket at the scene of his final murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Mathew Scully Hicks
Mathew Scully Hicks and his husband Craig Scully-Hicks adopted a baby named Shayla O’Brien, renaming her Elsie Scully-Hicks. Mathew subjected her to months of abuse before she died from her injuries on May 25, 2016. He allegedly threw the child down the stairs, shook her, screamed at her, and broke her legs.
Scully-Hicks denied abusing his adopted daughter, claiming a fall from a changing table led to her death. He showed no remorse for his crimes. Scully-Hicks was sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 18 years.
Lori Vallow
Lori Vallow was once a normal mother to her biological daughter Tylee Ryan and adopted son JJ Vallow. The children were murdered and buried on a property owned by Vallow’s husband, Chad Daybell. The children disappeared in September 2019, and after family members contacted authorities, Vallow and Daybell fled to Hawaii, where they were arrested in connection to the children’s disappearance.
Investigation revealed that the couple believed in doomsday conspiracy theories. Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell are the prime suspects in the deaths of the children and the deaths of their previous spouses. They are currently in prison, charged with smaller offenses.
Jennifer and Sarah Hart
Jennifer and Sarah Hart were a lesbian couple who adopted six African American children. One of their children became famous after a photo of them hugging a police officer at a protest went viral. The illusion of a happy family ended on March 26, 2018, when Sarah and Jennifer fed each of their children a large dose of Benadryl, knocking them unconscious. Jennifer Hart then drove the family car off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
It is believed that a CPS investigation into the couple led to the murders. Neighbors reported that the Harts had been starving the children as punishment for minor infractions. The Harts murdered their children to avoid facing the abuse allegations.
These stories are a stark reminder that not all adoptive homes are filled with love and care. It’s crucial to remember that the well-being of adopted children depends on responsible and nurturing parents. What are your thoughts on these tragic stories? Leave your comment below!
