A Press Release regarding the complaints and investigation of Reaching Arms International has been issued by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. Guatadopt did ask the famiies mentioned in it (that we have contact with) for their approval before posting this.
While it is a matter of public record, we realize that posting it on this site brings it to the attention of people interested in Guatemalan adoptions. As always, and as may beome more crucial in the days or hours to come, Guatadopt is dedicated to serving the needs of adoptive families with accurate information, regardless of where the chips may fall. However, we are also EXTREMELY careful to respect the rights and privacy of families who have been victimized by alleged unethical providers. At times those goals create a challenge, but we do our best to stand by what we believe is best.
Click here to read the release.
Posted by Kevin at February 9, 2007 09:46 AMWhat a pathetic bunch of people at RAI. In my opinion, to scam a nice bunch of people is just morally repugnant and I hope they are prosecuted to the furthest extent.
Posted by: Amy at February 9, 2007 01:58 PMWow. What a lot of heartache and insanity for SO many people. I hope this action will prevent someone else's heartache. Such criminal predatory behavior going on and on for years!!!
Posted by: Sarah J in NY at February 9, 2007 10:03 PMI am truly sorry to hear of the pain and challenges these families have endured thru their expierence with RAI. I do understand their frustrations. We had many problems with our daughter's case when we worked with RAI in 2004-2005. We felt fortunate enough to hire outside help that helped us complete our case. Had we not done so, I am afraid our case would have taken years to complete. I am relieved to hear that RAI is under scrutiny. Our expierence was challenging as well. It is about time that Nila realizes she can not continue to threaten and manipuate families to do as she wishes. I congratulate those families who had the courage to come forward and seek justice in this situation. I am sure this has been very painful for them.
THanks to the guat adopt team for keeping families educated and up to date on what is happening.
Regards,
gloria
mom to 5 Guatemalan blessings
Wow, this is frightening. When my husband & I first began to think of adopting from Guatemala I had actually considered using this agency. It makes me so wary of any agency now, even though I know there must be good ones out there. Without knowing ahead of time though, what is a novice to think?? By the time you've been duped and they've taken your $$, it's too late. I truly hope the people involved receive justice. I'm sad for the couples who lost so much in all of this.
Posted by: R.Lynn at February 11, 2007 03:37 PMI understand the concept, and I saw the article posted that said that government regulation of facilitators will stop this kind of unethical practice, but I have my doubts. In my experience governments are not good at preventing things from happening but just at reacting to things that happen. In other words, this could just as easily happen with a licensed facilitator, but once it did happen he or she hopefully would not be permitted to resume adoption-related services, to say the least. I think it's optimistic to think government regulation would halt unscrupulous practices.
Just a bit of cynicism from a government employee and adoptive parent.
Posted by: carolyn at February 12, 2007 10:37 AM