Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(KSL News) A Samoan attorney who handled adoptions for a Utah-based agency accused of tricking Samoan families into giving up their kids says those parents were never duped.
The attorney says the parents were told the adoptions were permanent.
He also says the parents misunderstood the adoption process and had opportunities to stop it.
Focus on Children is accused of telling birth families their children would stay in touch and return to Samoa when they turned 18. Seven people are charged with conspiracy, fraud and money laundering. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.