Ep 54. Baby Broker Scam

The American Greed season 6 episode 54 dives into the dark world of adoption scams as it highlights the Baby Broker Scam. The episode follows the story of Georgia Tann, a woman who ran a black-market adoption ring. Tann created false birth certificates and took children illegally from their biological parents, placing them in homes with wealthy families for a hefty fee.

The episode takes us back to the early 20th century, where Tann started her career in the Memphis Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Tann's job was to find homes for unwanted children. However, her fiscal management and methods were highly questionable. She frequently placed children in homes without following proper adoption procedures.

Tann retired from her position and opened her adoption agency, which became a lucrative business as her wealthy clients paid hefty fees to acquire children to complete their families. Tann's loyalty was towards money rather than the children, which had tragic consequences. Children as young as two years old were taken away only to be placed in homes where they were subject to neglect, abuse, and mistreatment.

The episode features interviews with family members of those who were victimized by the Baby Broker Scam. We hear from adoptive parents who had believed they had followed all protocols for adoption but were deceived by Tann's business. We also hear the testimonies of biological parents who were told their children had died but later found out that their infants were taken from them without their knowledge or consent.

The investigation takes us through the ways Tann got away with her scam for so long. She used her connections with judges and law enforcement to cover up any complaints or reports of missing babies. At the same time, Tann's status as a social worker provided her with easy access to vulnerable children in need of care.

The episode highlights the difficult process of locating and reuniting families affected by the scam. Many adoptive families realized that the children they had raised weren't their biological children after viewing Tann's records. Biological families searched for their lost children for years, often learning their child was deceased or sold to another family. Some succeeded in finding their children; some never did.

Throughout the episode, we witness the impact of the Baby Broker Scam on the affected families. It's heartbreaking to hear about the pain and suffering of families who had their children taken away. It's also disconcerting to see how Tann's greed and lack of morals allowed her to manipulate the system and avoid any punishment for so long.

In conclusion, the American Greed season 6 episode 54, Baby Broker Scam, is an eye-opener to the underbelly of adoption scams. It sheds light on the unethical adoption practices that were once prevalent in the US. The episode is an emotional roller coaster, as we hear the stories of families afflicted by a crime that went unnoticed for many years. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding how institutions that claim they are designed to help children can turn into exploitative businesses that harm them.