SEATTLE -- (AP) - The state of Washington will pay $5.3 million to four people who were placed in an abusive foster home as children.
The court settlement was reached Monday and is intended to head off a trial scheduled for next year.
The four plaintiffs filed negligence and civil rights claims against the Department of Social and Health Services and one social worker.
The lawsuit was originally filed in Stevens County Superior Court, and moved to federal court in Spokane.
The plaintiffs allege they were placed in an abusive foster home with Sylvia and Michael Wenger, who later adopted the children.
The plaintiffs, who are now adults, say they were sexually assaulted, locked in closets and forced to eat their own vomit.
Richard Felsch is now 23-years old and spends his days working on cars with his biological father. He said the time he spent with the Wengers robbed him of something he can never get back: his childhood and knowing what "normal" is.
"There were times where closets were cleaned out for us to live in for a couple of months at a time - these are forms of punishment," Felsch said.
The state removed Felsch and his twin sisters from their biological mother's home in 1996 and placed the with the Wengers in eastern Washington. In court documents, attorney Allen Ressler said the state never should have given the Wengers a foster parent license.
A psychologist found that Sylvia Wenger was sexually abused as a child and had a history of theft and manipulation, according to court documents.
Felsch said he and his sisters repeatedly told social workers they were being abused.
"You get laughed at, you get outright laughed at as a child who is crying wolf, exaggerating, making a mountain out of a molehill," he said.
After five years, the Felsch children and a fourth foster child were removed from the home after the twins ran away and reported being raped by Michael Wenger. He was convicted of child molestation and sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Felsch said he wants the state to wake up and start listening to foster kids.
"I feel 150 percent that the state simply didn't do enough. When they do know something's wrong, they don't do anything about it," he said.
In a statement released Monday, the state's Children's Administration said, "It is truly unfortunate that these children suffered at the hands of adults they had trusted." The statement went on to say, "although nothing can change what happened in that home, the agreement fairly compensates these individuals.
State officials also say they used this and other cases to change the way foster homes are licensed, including a more detailed evaluation of families looking to become licensed.
Link to source:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-to-pay-53M-to-abused-children-172203051.html
Showing posts with label Twins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twins. Show all posts
Homeless Twin Sisters Live in Limbo
The tragic story of homeless twin sisters in Washington, D.C. has been met with anguished reactions from the Korean American community.
Korean broadcasting station SBS recently aired a one-hour documentary about the Korean American twin sisters living on the streets of our nation’s capital.
Mi-kyung and Mi-young, both 32, were only 6 years old in 1987 when their father Soon-hong Min sent them to an orphanage in South Korea. The twins’ mother passed away only three years after giving birth. Min, who struggled to make ends meet, decided to drop off his daughters at a local orphanage, where they were later adopted by American parents.
On their way to the orphanage, Min told his daughters that they will be staying with their aunt until he comes back to take them back home.
The twins were soon taken to the United States to meet their new family. However, they were often harassed by their adoptive parents, who they described in an interview last year with the Korea Daily as being heavily abusive. They said at the time that the abuse was severe, so much so that both were convinced a mysterious stranger kidnapped them to separate their biological family.
After being evicted from their home in Nevada due to non-payment in 2001, the twins moved to Washington, D.C., and began living in homeless shelters. They subsisted on food provided by local Korean American business owners who sympathized with seeing them on the streets of D.C. during the city’s harsh winters.
The twins were often seen at the Korean embassy begging officials to help take them back to Korea. Witnesses say that they were even planning on enrolling in the rehabilitation program for the homeless in hopes of one day reuniting with their family.
However, everything changed when the twins received a letter from Min last year. Min, after learning that his daughters had become homeless 26 years after he had taken them to an orphanage, wrote a letter to them asking for their forgiveness.
For remaining story:
http://iamkoream.com/homeless-twin-sisters-live-in-limbo/
Korean broadcasting station SBS recently aired a one-hour documentary about the Korean American twin sisters living on the streets of our nation’s capital.
Mi-kyung and Mi-young, both 32, were only 6 years old in 1987 when their father Soon-hong Min sent them to an orphanage in South Korea. The twins’ mother passed away only three years after giving birth. Min, who struggled to make ends meet, decided to drop off his daughters at a local orphanage, where they were later adopted by American parents.
On their way to the orphanage, Min told his daughters that they will be staying with their aunt until he comes back to take them back home.
The twins were soon taken to the United States to meet their new family. However, they were often harassed by their adoptive parents, who they described in an interview last year with the Korea Daily as being heavily abusive. They said at the time that the abuse was severe, so much so that both were convinced a mysterious stranger kidnapped them to separate their biological family.
After being evicted from their home in Nevada due to non-payment in 2001, the twins moved to Washington, D.C., and began living in homeless shelters. They subsisted on food provided by local Korean American business owners who sympathized with seeing them on the streets of D.C. during the city’s harsh winters.
The twins were often seen at the Korean embassy begging officials to help take them back to Korea. Witnesses say that they were even planning on enrolling in the rehabilitation program for the homeless in hopes of one day reuniting with their family.
However, everything changed when the twins received a letter from Min last year. Min, after learning that his daughters had become homeless 26 years after he had taken them to an orphanage, wrote a letter to them asking for their forgiveness.
For remaining story:
http://iamkoream.com/homeless-twin-sisters-live-in-limbo/
Fraud charges dropped for adoption facilitator
The British press called them the "Internet twins."
Five years ago, two premature babies were put up for adoption on various Web
sites through an El Cajon adoption firm.
What followed was a tug of war over the girls between an adoptive British couple and relatives of a California couple who also had adopted them. The spat ignited worldwide debate over the legality and morality of using the Internet for adoptions.
International investigations ensued. Fleet Street called the would-be parents from Wales "the most hated couple in Britain." Eventually, the FBI raided the El Cajon home from which the adoption business, A Caring Heart, operated.
Tina Johnson, the woman behind A Caring Heart, was charged with wire fraud and mail fraud in San Diego federal court in 2002.
For remaining article:http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/metro/20051225-9999-1m25adopt.html
What followed was a tug of war over the girls between an adoptive British couple and relatives of a California couple who also had adopted them. The spat ignited worldwide debate over the legality and morality of using the Internet for adoptions.
International investigations ensued. Fleet Street called the would-be parents from Wales "the most hated couple in Britain." Eventually, the FBI raided the El Cajon home from which the adoption business, A Caring Heart, operated.
Tina Johnson, the woman behind A Caring Heart, was charged with wire fraud and mail fraud in San Diego federal court in 2002.
For remaining article:http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/metro/20051225-9999-1m25adopt.html
Chhattisgarh begins probe into alleged sale of newborns
By Indo Asian News Service
Raipur, June 6 (IANS) A probe was begun Tuesday into the alleged sale of
day-old twins by a poverty-stricken tribal father to a childless Christian
couple last week in the state's industrial town of Korba.
Samaru, 24, reportedly sold his newborn twin sons for Rs.100 - to buy food
for his impoverished family. But the couple that bought the infants said
their intention was to adopt them.
The twins' mother died an hour after the delivery Friday. The couple already
had five kids and the father has been struggling to feed them.
'It's a very serious issue', state Home Minister Ramvichar Netam told IANS,
adding the 'government has been compiling details of the alleged child sale
and local officials will be punished for not providing timely economic help
to the tribal family.'...
Raipur, June 6 (IANS) A probe was begun Tuesday into the alleged sale of
day-old twins by a poverty-stricken tribal father to a childless Christian
couple last week in the state's industrial town of Korba.
Samaru, 24, reportedly sold his newborn twin sons for Rs.100 - to buy food
for his impoverished family. But the couple that bought the infants said
their intention was to adopt them.
The twins' mother died an hour after the delivery Friday. The couple already
had five kids and the father has been struggling to feed them.
'It's a very serious issue', state Home Minister Ramvichar Netam told IANS,
adding the 'government has been compiling details of the alleged child sale
and local officials will be punished for not providing timely economic help
to the tribal family.'...
Madonna and Guy Ritchie to adopt child - or children - next month?
Sunday September 24th, 2006 at 8:04 pm by Lucy
Madonna and Guy Ritchie are reportedly planning to adopt a child, or perhaps children, from an orphanage in Malawi.
A source close to the couple has told the People newspaper: “Originally Madonna and Guy planned to adopt only one child. But when they were told that might mean breaking up a family unit they immediately said they would take siblings or twins if that was the right thing to do.”
“They want the children to be as young as possible but are prepared to take kids up to the age of four.”
“And they are also willing to consider a child with special needs arising from being abandoned in an orphanage.”
click here for remaining article
Madonna and Guy Ritchie are reportedly planning to adopt a child, or perhaps children, from an orphanage in Malawi.
A source close to the couple has told the People newspaper: “Originally Madonna and Guy planned to adopt only one child. But when they were told that might mean breaking up a family unit they immediately said they would take siblings or twins if that was the right thing to do.”
“They want the children to be as young as possible but are prepared to take kids up to the age of four.”
“And they are also willing to consider a child with special needs arising from being abandoned in an orphanage.”
click here for remaining article
Mamma Mia! Twins are reunited 12,000 miles from home
From Jacqui Goddard in Miami
August 22, 2006
WHEN Holly and Douglas Funk decided to adopt a baby two years ago they bought two of everything in the hope that they might find twins. There were two pushchairs, two cots, even two toy lambs that sang lullabies.
But after travelling 12,000 miles to an orphanage in China, they brought home one baby after falling in love with a lone little girl whom they named Mia. She had been found on the pavement outside a textile factory in Yangzhou, eastern Jiangsu province, in June 2003, abandoned by her parents amid the bustle of cars and street vendors within hours of being born....
Spanish twins separated at birth by mistake are united by chance
Thomas Catan in Madrid
May 28, 2008
They were unaware of each other's existence for nearly 30 years, until their uncanny likeness caused a misunderstanding at a clothes shop that led to their reunion.
Now one of the identical twins - separated at birth 35 years ago after a mix-up at the hospital where they were born - is suing the Spanish health authority for a mistake that led to her growing up in the wrong family.
The woman is seeking €3 million (£2.4 million) in damages for the error, which came to light after she was spotted in a shopping centre by a friend of her twin sister. “In just one day, my world fell apart,” she said of the chance reunion. “I wish it had never happened.” ....
for remaining article
May 28, 2008
They were unaware of each other's existence for nearly 30 years, until their uncanny likeness caused a misunderstanding at a clothes shop that led to their reunion.
Now one of the identical twins - separated at birth 35 years ago after a mix-up at the hospital where they were born - is suing the Spanish health authority for a mistake that led to her growing up in the wrong family.
The woman is seeking €3 million (£2.4 million) in damages for the error, which came to light after she was spotted in a shopping centre by a friend of her twin sister. “In just one day, my world fell apart,” she said of the chance reunion. “I wish it had never happened.” ....
for remaining article
Web making the world smaller for adoptees
Archive for Sunday, September 03, 2006
By Russell Working
The Funk family went to China two years ago to adopt a baby girl who had been abandoned on a sidewalk near a textile factory. They named her Mia.
Last year, the Ramirezes went to China to adopt a girl who had been abandoned on the same spot a week later. As it happened, they also named her Mia.
The Funks live in Lyons, a suburb of Chicago. The Ramirezes live near Miami.
In May, Diana Ramirez wrote about her daughter’s upcoming birthday on an Internet site for parents who had adopted from the orphanage in Yangzhou.
Holly Funk saw it and wrote back, “Diana, I have a Mia as well and she is almost 3.”
A flurry of e-mails followed. Then DNA testing provided evidence of what the families had come to suspect: The girls were fraternal twins, separated hours after their birth....
Russian emigre charged in alleged adoption scheme
Russian emigre charged in alleged adoption scheme
Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis, February 14
A local Russian emigrant known for her international connections to Olympic medalist Olga Korbut is now under federal indictment. Forty-two-year-old Victoria Farahan of Carmel is accused of taking more than $97,000 from couples in a failed adoption program.
Tim Morrison with the U.S. Attorney's Office explains. "She representedherself as one who had connections with international adoption agencies and that's how she put the scheme out."
The FBI says six unsuspecting church couples took Victoria Farahan ather word. She promised to place orphaned Russian children in their homesfor a fee. Morrison says they lost substantial amounts money. "Five of them were(out) $15,000. One of the couples was supposedly adopting twins and theypaid $22,500."....
For remaining article: http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=4504275&nav=9Tai
Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis, February 14
A local Russian emigrant known for her international connections to Olympic medalist Olga Korbut is now under federal indictment. Forty-two-year-old Victoria Farahan of Carmel is accused of taking more than $97,000 from couples in a failed adoption program.
Tim Morrison with the U.S. Attorney's Office explains. "She representedherself as one who had connections with international adoption agencies and that's how she put the scheme out."
The FBI says six unsuspecting church couples took Victoria Farahan ather word. She promised to place orphaned Russian children in their homesfor a fee. Morrison says they lost substantial amounts money. "Five of them were(out) $15,000. One of the couples was supposedly adopting twins and theypaid $22,500."....
For remaining article: http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=4504275&nav=9Tai
Emily Saunders finds the missing piece to her puzzle
Emily Saunders finds the missing piece of her puzzle
By Allie Shah, Star Tribune
Last update: December 30, 2007 - 6:15 AM
Emily Saunders made a startling discovery this year - she has a twin sister who lives halfway around the globe. This week, the two will come face to face for the first time since their birth 21 years ago.
For five minutes, Emily Saunders was alone. Then her twin sister was born. Their mother, a poor South Korean woman who was not expecting twins and gave birth out of wedlock, made a fateful decision. She would give one girl up. That was Emily, who was adopted when she was 4 months old by Jackie and Eric Saunders of Wyoming, Minn.
For 21 years, neither Emily nor her twin, Eunjin, had a clue the other one existed. Their families did not tell them until this year. On Thursday, Emily will fly to South Korea to meet her mirror image and try to stitch her past with her present. She hopes meeting her sister can fill a void that has contributed to turmoil in her life.The days leading up to the trip are a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She's packing a lifetime of photos to share with her sister. She also has a long list of questions for her birth mother, who has colon cancer and told Emily she wanted to meet her before she dies. ¶ At the top of Emily's list, not surprisingly, is "Why?"
When the Saunderses chose to adopt Emily, they knew she was a twin. But Jackie Saunders says the adoption agency told them the other sister "must have died" because as a matter of policy, they did not separate twins.
Those words, "must have," gnawed at Jackie Saunders, who kept after the agency. Soon they learned the truth: Eunjin was alive and living with her mother. The Saunderses asked the agency to contact them immediately if the twins' birth mother ever released Eunjin so they could adopt her, too.
Years passed, and the Saunderses did not tell Emily that she had a twin sister....
For the remaining article: http://www.startribune.com/local/12916351.html
By Allie Shah, Star Tribune
Last update: December 30, 2007 - 6:15 AM
Emily Saunders made a startling discovery this year - she has a twin sister who lives halfway around the globe. This week, the two will come face to face for the first time since their birth 21 years ago.
For five minutes, Emily Saunders was alone. Then her twin sister was born. Their mother, a poor South Korean woman who was not expecting twins and gave birth out of wedlock, made a fateful decision. She would give one girl up. That was Emily, who was adopted when she was 4 months old by Jackie and Eric Saunders of Wyoming, Minn.
For 21 years, neither Emily nor her twin, Eunjin, had a clue the other one existed. Their families did not tell them until this year. On Thursday, Emily will fly to South Korea to meet her mirror image and try to stitch her past with her present. She hopes meeting her sister can fill a void that has contributed to turmoil in her life.The days leading up to the trip are a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She's packing a lifetime of photos to share with her sister. She also has a long list of questions for her birth mother, who has colon cancer and told Emily she wanted to meet her before she dies. ¶ At the top of Emily's list, not surprisingly, is "Why?"
When the Saunderses chose to adopt Emily, they knew she was a twin. But Jackie Saunders says the adoption agency told them the other sister "must have died" because as a matter of policy, they did not separate twins.
Those words, "must have," gnawed at Jackie Saunders, who kept after the agency. Soon they learned the truth: Eunjin was alive and living with her mother. The Saunderses asked the agency to contact them immediately if the twins' birth mother ever released Eunjin so they could adopt her, too.
Years passed, and the Saunderses did not tell Emily that she had a twin sister....
For the remaining article: http://www.startribune.com/local/12916351.html
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