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Shelley Osterloh Reporting A long awaited reunion brought together four little girls, sisters separated by an ocean.The girls were Russian orphans who now share a Utah family.
The four girls were taken from their biological parents in Russia because of abuse. Unfortunately, the future for most orphans there is bleak. They are sent out on their own when they reach 17. The adoptive family says most of the boys become criminals and two-thirds of the girls become prostitutes. It's those statistics that compelled Simmons family of Kamas to adopt five children from Russia.
Wearing traditional Russian costumes, little Sarah, Celeste and Denney waited anxiously for their sisters, coming to Utah for the first time.
Shelley: "What are you going to do with those flowers?"
Sarah: "Give them to my sisters."
Six-year old Sarah, and four-year old Celeste are biological sisters and were adopted along with three-year old Denney a year and half ago. While the Simmons were in Russia finalizing their adoption, they discovered the girls had two other sisters who were also in state custody.
The three children adjusted well to their new surroundings and to having four new brothers, but the thought of those two girls still in Russia haunted Amy and John.
Amy Simmons: "Is this something we can do, something we can do to help out, because the odds of their survival is very bleak in Russia for them. It seems like they've been meant to be with our family for a long time; it's finally happening."
So with arms full of flowers and love they greeted the two older girls, now reunited with their little sisters and a new family.
The Simmons say though their house was already full, it wasn't complete until now.
Amy Simmons: "It's funny because we'll call the kids to dinner, or call for bed and we'll say who's missing? Svieta and Natasha they are still in Russia. So no not anymore not anymore."
John Simmons, Father: "It'll be tough. The culture shock has already set in a little bit for them, it's a lot different that what they are used to."
But the girls appear to be happy to be part of a new family starting a new life in Utah.
