How very, very sad for her children. My prayers are with her family!!

How very, very sad for her children. My prayers are with her family!!!

Was she in jail these past 8 months too?

366 days is really not tough enough if you ask me!

Although, she has small children that need a mother at home, they should not be the victims in this too, so I guess because of that I can understand.

I hope the 2 years supervision is very close supervision--wish it could've been 10 years supervision.

How about never being allowed to work in any part of the adoption process ever again? Was that in there?
Lizzie
Proud Mama to Anarosa
Waiting anxiously for Migdalia

First let me say, I am sorry for Mary's children! I wish Mary would have considered them when she chose her course of action. But as a victim of Mary, I gotta say "HOORAY".

Although I personally believe she deserved more jail time, I'm glad to hear she will be spending some time in the slammer. I hope that this brings some peace and closure to the families she has harmed. It may not correct her wrongs, but hopefully it helps that she is facing consequences.
She has also been banned by the USE in Guatemala, obviously. One can only hope that the various licensing authorities in each state will also deny her the ability to facilitate adoptions in the future.
A question for any lawyers in the house:
Is there any significance to the 366 day sentence? Why add the day onto an even sentence of a year? I may be overthinking, but I had to wonder if there was some reason for the 366 vs. 365 day sentence, maybe it affects when she'll be eligible for parole?

Our family was a victim not of her, but a close family member of hers who lied about our child.

I just read this posting and I feel very sad about the whole thing. However I would like to comment on the prison sentence by saying that the average prison sentence for a "violent felony" is 7.5 years...is justice really being done here? Is prison the solution? What about her children? - doesn't everyone agree that the kids are our priority. Take away Mary's right to work in adoptions, give her a record that marks her deeds for posterity. But prison is just dumb. The point of prison is to seperate the criminals from society and rehabilitate. It seems that power and self will ran rampant in Mary's life and she should pay a price for her deeds. But removing a mom for a YEAR from her adopted kids who are well loved and cared for..what about them? This is just my humble opinion for what it is worth...

In response to "Anonymous'" question regarding why the judge would have sentenced Mary Bonn to 366 days instead of a year exactly:

If federal court sentencings are similiar to sentencings in the state where I live, then the reason the judge would have sentenced her to 366 days instead of 365 days is so that Mary would have a felony conviction. A sentence of 365 days or less would have resulted in the crime being a gross misdemeanor (or a misdemeanor).

Kathy

Usually, a misdemeanor offense is punishable by 365 days in jail. The extra day may be to distinguish this as a felony offense. I agree with anonymous, the sentence is too light and the fine too small. It won't deter other adoption agencies raking in a million or more a year in fees to not make this kind of mistake in judgment.

I guess we need to find out if Mary was charged with a felony or not. A felony conviction is a bar to state licensure for both agency owners and caseworkers.

She was convicted of a felony.

As for whether she should serve time... She is a good mom from all reports and it is sad for her children to suffer. I truly mean that.

But there is another side to all of this. Unethical actions in adoption are a huge problem. If more people got thrown in jail, others would be less likely to do bad things.

Mary is being used a bit as an example, though I think she is lucky she got off with only the charge she did. Let's remember that she had to plea bargain to get this, which means she gave up something or talked in order to receive this "lighter" sentence. It was not to avoid trial as she had no defense because she had admitted to the crime for which she was charged.

If Mary was not required to serve any time, what signal would that send. You can act improperly, you can do what seems a lot like kidnapping a child, you can lie to APs, you can forge documents, you can smuggle children in the US, and you will only get a slap o the wrist. I think that would be the exact wrong message we need to be sending to clean up adoptions.

Some have accused me of being malicious in all of this. In fact, I understand my name came up during the hearing. I have never had it in for mary or any other adoption service provider. But I am a crusader for ethics in adoptions and I have been, and will continue to be, vigilant in wanting to see the book thrown at those who are causing country after country to close. Yes, we can place blame on UNICEF and the Hague, but we also have to realize that the only thing that has given them ammo is the unscrupulous activities of a few providers. So if that makes me mean or unfair to folks like Mary, then I guess I'm guilty. But I've seen too many families and children hurt to not take a strog hand on this one.

Kevin
Guatadopt

The following excerpt from a slate.com article (that happens to be about Michael Vick and the sentencing guidelines) might explain the one-year-and-one-day sentence. If this analysis is correct, then the judge did Mary a favor:

Under Bureau of Prisons regulations, federal prisoners are eligible for an approximately 15 percent reduction of their sentences if they behave themselves—so long as that original sentence is longer than a year. Sentence of one year? Serve one year. Sentence of one year and one day? With good behavior, you'll serve a bit more than 10 months. Odd but true.

http://www.slate.com/id/2172798/entry/13305/nav/ais/

She kidnapped a child. That is a felony. What more do we need to know about her? It seems to me that justice has been served.

Kevin, I have just one word about the Mary Bonn case: Amen!

Feeling like I've just been punched in the gut after reading the witnesses for the defense! The problems in our first adoption handled by Tracey Bonn caused us to "do our homework" on the second. We ended up with a "highly recommended" agency thousands of miles away from Tracey where our second adoption went even WORSE! The second adoption was supervised by.....Sue Hedberg.
Since the story about Mary's actions broke I have had a sense of unease about the authenticity of my eldest child's life story. Naively I felt my second child's adoption was more "ethical" but now I will wonder about the relationship Sue Hedberg had/has with the Bonns.........

I am wodering, given the sentence requiring substance abuse counseling and testing, if Mary has an addiction problem? Not that that justifes any of her behavior, *in the least*.

So, what did Sue Hedberg, Tamara Hilstrom, Mary's sister Tracey Bonn, Guatemalan adoption facilitator Feliciano Carrillo Gudiel and Guatemalan adoption attorney Javier Villatoro actually *say* in Mary's defense? Was a court reporter in attendance? Can we get a copy of the transcript?

I would love to read how these people defended this woman. Stories about problems with Mary's adoption practices have been floating around for well over a decade.

Lisa

I am wodering, given the sentence requiring substance abuse counseling and testing, if Mary has an addiction problem? Not that that justifes any of her behavior, *in the least*.

So, what did Sue Hedberg, Tamara Hilstrom, Mary's sister Tracey Bonn, Guatemalan adoption facilitator Feliciano Carrillo Gudiel and Guatemalan adoption attorney Javier Villatoro actually *say* in Mary's defense? Was a court reporter in attendance? Can we get a copy of the transcript?

I would love to read how these people defended this woman. Stories about problems with Mary's adoption practices have been floating around for well over a decade.

Lisa

Kevin, in respect to Mary and her family. I ask from the bottom of my heart; please leave the woman alone. The case is done. Let it go now. There are two sides, we have made this clear. She is going in, you got what you all wanted. It is over. Please have the audacity to leave her and the family she only has little time to spend with alone it is painful to read these postings.

A crime is a crime no matter the reason for the action. Needing money does not justify robbing a store nor does kidnapping a child justify deeming yourself as a "savior".

Members of the community that stand with Mary and her actions are , in my opinion, as guilty as her. For both Guatemalan attorneys that attended the hearing have or have access to hogars. Why did they not step forward before the child left Guatemala? As for the agencies backing the actions of Mary-- WOW! Standing up for corruption and fraud. Interesting.

I thought the adoption world and world governments were trying hard to stop illegal practices. Or perhaps, I am mistaken.

I had a very bad experience with one of the people that stood up for her. This person lied to us numerous times. Thankfully the judge was smarter than I was!

As far as the people and agencies that were "outed" above, I don't think they were exactly condoning corruption and fraud. I wasn't at the hearing, but I would have to believe these people were there as character witnesses. Although she did plead guilty to the crime of harboring an alien, I'm willing to entertain the possibility that Mary Bonn is not the despicable monster she's been made out to be. As far as Tracey Bonn testifying on her behalf, I would question her character if she didn't attempt to aid her sister.

To Guate....with respect to you asking for Kevin to leave Mary and her family alone, I think you should take into consideration that Kevin and Guatadopt do nothing but speak of the facts. And the fact is that Mary is now a convicted criminal and she is going where she belong. Those who stood on her behalf are still involved in Guatemalan adoptions and that fact is deeply disturbing to me. So many people have been victimized by her actions and the actions of other unscrupulous agencies and facilitators. (RAI & Waiting Angles) Kevin, Guatadopt, and the readers have every single right in the world to speak thier minds on this matter. You also have your right, and your request is, I'm sure being taken to heart.

To guate. No one "got what they wanted" No one wanted this black eye on adoption and Mary Bonn is the one who threw the punch. She is being punished for her illegal actions. She chose to make her children victims in this with her actions. If she has so precious little time to spend with her family then she should get off the computer. Sorry if I sound callous but I want accountability and legitimacy in IA. I am so saddened by all the attacks on Guatemalan adoptions and if we can hold those accountable who have been deceitful then I am all for it. This is a guatemalan adoption information site. What she did pertains to just such topic. If she doesn't like what she reads then I suggest she does not log on.

What Mary did was wrong, but we are not privy to the all the information in the entire case, so I for one, would not throw stones without knowing more about the case and I certainly wouldn't criticize other adoption professionals. They should not be assumed guilty by association --- as many have insinuated on this forum. Perhaps they got a subpoena, I don't know. I believe there is a lot more to the case than we will ever know. There are two sides to every story. Perhaps that's why the judge gave a more lenient sentence than many who posted here expected. I for one think it's too harsh, considering she has children. I pray for her family. By the way, I have no association to Mary. I am just surprised at the one-sidedness, and narrowmindedness of this discussion. Flame me if you want, I'm just asking you to be more open and tolerant; remember when you point your finger at someone else there are three pointing back at you. God Bless.

I was not in the courtroom, so I don't know what was said.

However, people on this list are saying that the folks who testified for Mary testified in her defense. I doubt that's accurate. She pleaded guilty. My *guess* is that none of them said that what Mary did in this case was okay. Let's wait for a transcript to see what was said.

Beth in MN

This was a sentencing hearing. people were not supbeonad by the judge or the prosecution. The adoptive father demanded that he be allowed to address the judge, but the prosecution did not ask for him to appear. All other witnesses were there at the request of Mary/her attorney.

This was all about what sentence Mary would receive. Her witnesses were there to try to show the judge that she should not receive a stiff sentence. That is not to say that they claimed Mary did nothing wrong.

Notice that I am placing no value statement on any of this. I did get a first hand account of what happened in the courtroom but do not have a transcript. I'm not sure if one can be obtained.

Let me just say one more time that I feel for Mary's family. But just as I once told the AP's in this case - "don't read the site because it hurts you."

Guatadopt is a news and inforamtion site and this case is most certainly news. Just as CNN must cover the things that happen in politics, we must cover what happens with Guatemalan adoptions. The Bonn case was a turning point in US policy on Guatemalan adoptions. It stirred the pot to say the least. I do not think that all the fallout of this case and mary's likely testimony as part of her plea has yet to hit. so be ready.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

Facts are facts but the following being said about Mary such as; what she should be doing with her precious time, to WHATEVER: facts are facts although what you are stating is only one side of the "facts" so many people have been happy with their adoptions that Mary Bonn has done, please take that into consideration!

It's really worth thinking about how the actions of agencies in the US and people like Mary Bonn have contributed to what's going on right now with Guatemala adoptions. A lot of people have spent a lot of time on this site demonizing the Guatemalan Government, the corruption in Guatemalan society, the press, the Bergers, and UNICEF. Really, time and effort would be so much better spent trying to figure out how to weed out those working in IA in this country who do not have the best interests of children, bio families and adoptive parents in mind. We need to clean up our own house before we tell others to clean up theirs.

I don't even know Mary, but I am sure that she was thinking in the best interest of the child(ren). I don't understand why no-one has asked more questions and so many assumptions are being made. There are definitely two sides to every story, and only one half is revealed here!! This site is very informative in some regards, in others it is menial and hateful pounding ground. As far as Tracey Bonn is concerned... what in the world are we talking about her for?? Did she commit a crime?? We here must be the judge and the jury?? Well, then... I would have to say that she is innocent, and as a family of IAS 2X around- I can say so confidently. Her hands, as well as Mary's have brought many families together. God Bless!!

So, Guat.... Because so many people were happy with Mary and their adoptions with them, we are to turn our heads and not worry about one horrible decision to bring a child illegally into the country? I'm sorry, but 1000 good deeds don't matter if one horrible act was committed. If a really "good" person commits murder, should we all just be lenient because they did so much good before?

As others have said, this certainly has added fuel to the fire to stop IA from Guatemala altogether. There can be NO tolerance for this kind of behavior when it comes to adoption professionals.

I do feel very badly for her family and children, but justice has to be done and a case made that it won't be tolerated.

To Guate: Here's another fact for you....MARY IS A CONVICTED FELON. She earned her new title, and she would have not gotten where she is today had she abided by the rules. Yes, you are correct in saying that there are 2 sides to every story. But the one that I care most about is the FACT that she deliberately deceived numerous people, and the FACT that she did so in a manner that is illegal. For being so concerned with Mary and her family and the fact that “she has only little time to spend with” them, maybe you should focus on that. I’m also deeply disturbed that you should post such a global statement like the one you did saying “She is going in, you got what you all wanted”. What we all want are our children to come home! Let’s get that FACT straight! All I want is for my child and the thousands of other children in Guatemala who are in-process to come home. In my opinion, and keep in mind this is my opinion, I truly believe that the actions of the now convicted felon, Mary Bonn, and the unethical practices of RAI and Waiting Angles has a direct impact on the status of IA in Guatemala currently. I am aware that Mary has helped several families bring their children home, and that is great. But facts are facts, and now she is going to prison based on the FACTS as ruled by the United States Government.

In response to guate's comment "There are two sides, we have made this clear... it is painful to read these postings." First of all, didn't Mary Bonn PLEAD GUILTY to the charges? No matter how much good she may have done prior to that (and I have no personal knowledge, either way), she was convicted of a serious crime. Secondly, if it is painful for you to read these postings, DON'T. But please don't ask the rest of the world to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the painful truth. I have met Kevin and spoken with him personally about the Mary Bonn case, and I can guarantee you that it pains him. He takes no pleasure in her conviction. Rather, he feels the pain of the shame that this woman has brought to all of us PAPs.

Mary--IA providers have to have the best interest of all three parties in mind: child, bio family, and adoptive parents. It's a triad.

She is a convicted felon. I don't know her either, but I have a lot of anger toward her. As the pp stated, her actions (whether you think they're criminal or not) have added fuel, lots of fuel, to the fire.

I don't know anyone directly affected by the case or the actions of this woman.

We teach our children that with choices come an outcome of some type. Good choices yield good results and bad choices yield unhappy consequences.

However as in this situation as always the children are the ones to suffer from a bad choice.

We are fighting to get the children home, and it does not seem she is helping the cause.

My opinion only..
jah

http://www.ethicanet.org/Bonn_plea_agreement.pdf

Go to this URL and read page eight, it will shine some light on the leniency shown in this case.
Where is the child now?

Why did the AP leave the child in Guatemala when she went there to pick her up for travel back to the US? If she was sick why was she not given attention immediately in Guatemala by her Guatemalan legal guardian---the AP that was there in country?

Mary has had mercy shown towards her and her actions. I believe whole heartedly that if Mary's actions in this case is a reflection of past cases, the problems will surface. I for one will not throw stones or thirst for more action, but I will take this as testimony of the fact that as an AP you must constantly verify all actions being taken on your behalf.

The ENTIRE case has NEVER been put out on this website.

The comments made here are exceptionally one-sided.

The names of those that appeared for her character witnesses have a strength in and of themselves.

For those of you who like drama, keep it up.

For those of us who like justice..well...maybe next time.

Andrea

You can click on and read mary Bonn's plea agreement at this site:

http://www.ethicanet.org/newslist.php?pagestyle=default

Get a life people. Don't you have more important things to do with your lives rather that to post comments about a woman YOU DONT KNOW??? To ACS: Do NOT compare Mary to commiting a murder - that is not what she did. I understand that the people against her have facts about their "side to the story" HA... Although it is unfair to state things if you do not know someone first, secondly I began to read these insubordinate postings since Mary's case started. I have held my tounge, now I have to state that for those of you that dont know Mary mind your business. Stop postings on the behalf of Mary and her children, or letting us know about you think Mary should do with her time or comparing her crime to one that involves murder. As far as the fuel to the fire? Well let me have you all know that there would not be a fire in the first place unless there was something to burn; we may have provided the fuel but you are all to blame for the light.

Guate, I for one would LOVE to hear Mary's side of the story. Why can't you just post it on here??? If she is so innocent why doesn't she speak up here and clear her name?

Thank you to those of you that posted the name of the website where we can read the facts of this case. I've always felt there had to be more to this entire situation than just Mary Bonn = Evil. I realize that Mary Bonn broke the law, and what she did wasn't right. Having said that, what is the role/responsibility of an agency when a child is, for all practical purposes, abandoned after the adoption is complete? I'm assuming that once a child is considered legally adopted by one family, there would be no way for them to return to legal orphan status so that they could be adopted by someone else? Would the agency's next move be to prosecute the adoptive parents for child abandonment? I'm not at all trying to excuse the actions taken in this case, or make any judgments. I'm just trying to figure out how it should have been handled.

Please stop bashing Mary, all of you. She has young children who have suffered enough and who are able to access this site as easily as all of you.

Please stop bashing Mary, all of you. She has young children who have suffered enough and who are able to access this site as easily as all of you.

Guate and Sue,
From the plea agreement, page 8, section 9.
"Defendant is pleading guilty because defendant is in fact guilty."
I hate to point out the obvious, but its a bit of a stretch to defend the actions of an admitted, convicted criminal.

It does appear the ENTIRE case is summarized in the plea agreement, which IMO is a damning account of Ms. Bonn's actions.
If you want to argue that only one point of view is presented on guatadopt, well you may be correct. But hey, this is a site that "promotes informed and ethical adoption". So yes, you are going to get the one-sided view of people who have adopted or are adopting from Guatemala and would like to see transparent, ethical adoption practices. I've also perused other sources of information and am aware that plenty of people have had good adoption experiences with her. Still I think its clear that she commited a crime and created a huge mess in the adoption world instead of seeking a legal and ethical resolution to a bad situation. But since that situation was largely of her own creation, she instead decided to cover her actions and punish the PAPs, with disasterous results. I'm glad it didn't work out so well for her, because if it had it would have set an extremely dangerous precedent for international adoptions.

On the subject of Ms. Bonn's children, I have a great amount of sympathy for them. However, if Ms. Bonn didn't want her children to suffer, then she should not have commited a crime. I'm sorry to contradict Kevin, but I really don't believe her actions are those of a responsible, caring parent. Parenting includes being a positive role model and teaching children right from wrong. Ms. Bonn failed as a parent in this regard, and her children are suffering as a result. Her children didn't deserve to have their mother taken away for a year. But their mother most certainly DOES deserve a year of jail. Its a tough dillema, with no easy answer. Only more victims added to the list.

To Guate:
Seems to me you are way too emotional about this woman and are not able to back up and look thru a clear lens, otherwise you wouldn't lash out like a crazy person. The tone of your first post to that of your second post is amazing. It is almost as if 2 different people wrote them. This woman admittedly committed a felony crime. I don't need to "know her" to know what she did was wrong.
To Sue:
Her children are victims of her bad decision making. I am sad for them. They did not and do not deserve this. But as a parent we have a responsibility to protect our children from things that may hurt them. If these postings hurt them, then a good parent would not allow them to access the site. Clear and simple.

This is a tragedy. No winners. Like a Shakespeare play. The human condition revealed. Truly sad, and I feel sorry for everyone involved, even Mary.

Kevin, it shows you to be a true friend of the truth, and in that a friend to all who want to see children be adopted. You didn’t have to post it. In the charged times, it would have been easy for you to shelve it. But I am grateful for its posting, right here, right now.

I think you (Kevin) said it was her own hubris that did Mary in. I don’t think she was dumb, or even that overly egotistical. Rather, I think she thought she was free and clear when she sent the incriminating photos. Because by that time she had quite easily spirited a child out of Guatemala. She was not convicted of kidnapping, or crossing international borders with a minor, much less the acknowledged altering of legal documents in Guatemala. Each one of those is huge compared to what she agreed to plead guilty of. Regardless of the hands and feet that did the crimes, she was guilty of conspiracy to commit, at least.

This is also the answer to what has been asked of me a couple of times in the last week:

1) Evidence of a child being moved in a corrupt and illegal fashion by someone connected with the adoption industry in Guatemala.
2) Evidence that this sort of thing was completely invisible in Guatemala.
3) In the fact that she did it so easily, and thought she was free and clear, we see evidence that this was not the only time that Mary had engaged in this type of fraud.

To GUATE....It is painfully obvious that you need to stop reading this website and focus your negative energy elsewhere. I feel bad for you that you lack any concern for innocent victims. It’s time for you to move on and focus your time spending your last few remaining days with your criminal friend Mary.

I am an in process case and had no idea that my attorney/agency was connected to Mary Bonn in any way (she testified on her behalf). I would love some reassurance that there is no "guilt by association" and that I shouldn't feel panicked about my judgement in using her.

Thanks.

Lori

1. I do not believe anyone is forced to read guatadopt.com. I think it is a choice.
2. As to hearing "both sides"-several of us have. We have read the court papers. Mary and the family both told their versions of this story under oath. Correct?
3. As for knowing Mary-- I know enough. I know for a fact that she worked/works with Blanca Martinez (an attorney ban by the Embassy)even after the ban was in full effect.
4. I know because of Mary's actions in my own adoption case, my child probably will never come home.
So if I seem to have lost my equanimity, you should have spent the last three years in my shoes-- you probably would have the same opinion.

I'm appalled by the near-sighted supporters of Mary Bonn who are still trying to convince people that she is a noble woman. What a slap in the face to those who suffered because of her, and to those who support ethical adoptions in Guatemala. Bonn has caused irrevocable damage to the reputation of the institution of Guatemalan adoption, not to mention the emotional torture endured by many individual families.

The fact that you brought home a child home through an agency associated with Mary Bonn, does NOTHING to negate the horrible experiences of others who couldn't bring children home because of her misdeeds. EVERY facilitator is going to have successful cases, but those do not cancel out unethical and/or illegal actions.

It's a shame that her children will be without a mother while she is in prison - But who's fault is that?! It's the fault of the woman who committed a crime, and she should have considered the welfare of those children before she acted illegally! Are you crying foul for the children of other convicted felons, or just Mary? Do you think the fact that she has children should have given her the right to (literally) a get-out-of-jail-free card?

Lori,
I share your concern! BOTH of my children's adoption facilitators were listed as "defense witnesses"!!
Guate,
What is so bad about light? The actions of good and ethical people look as good in blazing brilliance as they do in the shadows. It is only those with something to hide who run from the light! I have been affected by the Bonn sisters and Sue Hedberg so this is my business! You and I have obviously had very different experiences and I celebrate the freedom we have to debate BUT you may not...nor will I let you deny my right to express my TRUTHS. I empathize with everyone who has expressed a concern for Mary's children and what they may read about their mother on this site. I can empathize because I had to spend hours comforting my child who had read about Mary's arrest and worried how it impacted us as a family. I have now gone to great lengths to make sure neither of my children access anything because now both of their adoptions are impacted!

I have been monitoring this whole sordid affair for some time now. I am totally amazed at what it takes for people to see the light. People who say there is only one side presented here please open your eyes. Mary has her side but she already told it.. it was when she plead guilty. You think Mary, with all her wealth, could not afford a competent voice to represent her side in court? Mary was not railroaded in this affair. It is plain and simple, she did wrong, she got caught, she must pay for her crime. End of Story. True it is sad that her kids are suffering but that just goes to show you what a selfish person she is. There are plenty of kids in Guatemala that need homes. Why Mary had to take one that belonged to another person is beyond me. From what I understand, she has other childtren in her home that may have been received under questionable circumstances as well. This woman has a track record for doing shady and unethical things. These people who keep supporting Mary remind me of abused children who cling to their parents even when the police come to take them out of the home for their own welfare. Mary's actions have hurt everyone. You don't have to stop liking Mary if you are her friend, but realize she simply made a huge mistake and now she has to pay. Her selfishness has created great harm to those of us who are trying to adopt from Guatemala. If she is so loving, why did she forsake her own family and put all the other adoptions at risk for those people wanting to complete their own families? Especially at a time when Guatemalan adoption are under the microscope. Please don't repeat the rhetoric "to save a child" because that is simply not true. If that family did not want their child why would they go through the hell they did to find her? Stop and use some loic here for God's sake. Put it to rest and put it behind us. MARY SCREWED UP AND GOT CAUGHT!! END OF STORY! Just my 2 cents.
George

George:
Not only did Mary screw up, but she proved herself to be an unfit provider of adoption services. Her judgement was poor and her rational was corrupt. She engaged in falsehoods and anything that she touched is now tainted and some cases are totally derailed--a tragedy. I am just sorry that our laws did not support charging her with more serious crimes. For those arguing on her behalf, remember that minimizing wrongdoings is part of the problem and sickness. Anyone who wants to stay on Mary's sunk ship is indicating their own poor judgement and inability to ultimately advocate for children. Frankly, I don't trust ANYONE who puts adult rights (i.e. Mary Bonn) ahead of a child's rights. If anything needs to be minimized and ignored, the comments by the supporters of Mary Bonn fit into that category. Finally, as for Mary Bonn's children. Ms. Bonn should have thought of her children when making poor choices. Frankly, I think she is lucky that she only got a year and a day of incarceration. That is a loss for her children, but children across the country lose their parents to prison everyday. It is a sad loss, but real for many American families. Mary and her family are not exempt from this reality. If she had good judgement and moral character, she would have prevented this by recognizing the vulnerable situation she was putting her entire family in as well as every adoption that she facilitated or was facilitating. Now, everyone is suffering--not just the family from which she stole a child. Fraud is fraud and Mary had her day in court. Now we all know the truth and that truth will be used as arguments against the current system in Guatemala.

Let me ask people this.
Do you think Mary Bonn's arrest in Feb and the DOS annoucement in March about looking into all the cases, which led to delayed PA's are related?
Did Her arrest have anything to do with US issuing PA 50 to 70 days? Well, right now , I am panic stricken parent, who child might not come home in time. Right now me and other familes could have used the extra time to make it before the 01/108. I don't know if my child along with 5000 others will make it to their families. If the Mary Bonn arrest was the reason the DOS slowed the PA's and caused delays, then it is very hard for me to feel sorry for her, becaus I am feeling sorry for myself and the other families who are in the same place and couldhave used the extra time to process their case before the january 1 deadline.

bitter and worried parent

shawn

Enough already! Do you hear yourselves? Why does anyone feel an ongoing need to condemn or defend Mary Bonn? Is it so hard to believe that the Mary Bonn that acted criminally and is going to prison is the same Mary Bonn that brought families togther? People aren't just one thing or the other. They are complicated and flawed and the reality is, sometimes good people do bad things and sometimes bad people disguise who they really are. No one but Mary Bonn will ever know the whole truth, so let it go!!!
The relevant discussion is what can be learned from this? How can the knowledge gained from this hurtful situation be used in a positive way.

To guate and other apologists for Mary Bonn:

The reason people are offered - and accept - a plea agreement is because the evidence is so overwhelmingly strong against them that there is little point in trying to defend the charges in a trial. I can only imagine that the government's case against her was so strong that she (Mary Bonn) leaped at the chance to plead guilty to lesser charges, which resulted in a relatively light sentence.

Please don't insult our intelligence by ranting about another side to the story. If Mary Bonn really had a defense to make, she would have made it.

Yes, it is very sad for her children and her family that she has brought them such shame. I trust that we have received a semblance of justice in this case. I pray that her sentence serves as a strong deterrent to others that might engage in such criminal activities.

I just had a read over the Bonn sentencing document. I was reminded of the guilty plea made by Lauryn Galindo the adoption facilitator who trafficked children into the US from Cambodia. The downside to a guilty plea is that we don't get to hear, in a court of law, all the testimony of how the wrong-doing/fraud was carried out. However, the truth will eventually come out about ALL of the on-going investigations into Guatemala. I have said for months that all you have to do is read through the lines of the US DOS statement to see that there are individuals under investigation--now DOS is stating that clearly. The truth is going to be difficult to swallow and, as unpopular as this comment will be, the Guatadopt community needs to prepare itself for some unpleasant documentary evidence. In the Cambodia case, there were a number of children that were actually identified to have an identity history that was falsified in order to secure the orphan visa. The adoptive families were notified and had to live with the unknown of that determination until the US gov decided not to pursue the visa fraud and effectively dissolve the adoptions. I don't know IF this will happen in the case of Guatemala, but I would not be surprised if this comes to pass. There will be difficult times ahead. Finally, on the Bonn sentencing--the substance abuse is a surprising twist. If she was indeed impaired while practicing adoption and addicted to substances, her actions in the field could be really atrocious above and beyond this publically documented case. You don't want untreated addicts handling adoptions! Another reason for requiring professional credentials for sensitive work like adoption facilitating--if a licensed professional is engaging in impaired practice, there would be a board in which to report concerns. With the unregulated nature of Guatemalan adoptions, there was nowhere to go until Bonn broke the law in an undeniable manner. I wonder just how many things that she got away with over the years.

I agree with, and am in the same situation as Shawn and many other families.

I really believe that the 61 day wait for PA is what caused my child not to be home yet.

And I really believe that the Mary Bonn case, and the other cases of criminal activity caused the "extra scrutiny" that caused the 61 day wait for the PA.

Maybe Mary did bring some families together happily. But what if my family, and many others, are not able to come together happily due to her thoughtless (and others like her--its not just her) actions?

another bitter and worried parent

Lizzie

I feel sick to my stomach. There have been several posts stating that Mary Bonn has young children. Just how young are they? I ask for one reason. Prior to Mary Bonn's sentencing, we received an email request from one of Mary Bonns' daughters to write a letter to the Court on Mary Bonn's behalf. I felt very sad for Mary Bonn's family when I received the request but I assumed it was an adult who had sent it. My heart goes out to Mary Bonn's children, regardless of their age. However, I am very troubled by the idea that it was actually a child that sent me this email.

I think Mary Bonn finaly got caught in a situation where the sdoptive mother simple could not handle the lies that she was told about her child prior to placement. As a victim of one of her relatives, our family is a suffering because we were were straight out lied to by one of Mary Bonn's relatives . Families need to know accuarte information to see if they have the capabilities to parent a particular child. I do not think she is evil but her lies finally caught up to her,and she she felt she had to do something desperate, to protect the child. However she was bound to get herself in this situation after telling lie after lie. That is what lead to her breaking the law. When you lie consequneces happen.

Lizzie,

I agree with you, I waited 79 days for PA, got it on 9/7 and now found out a month later that the birthmom has been missing since DNA was taken in early June. I think had the US not imposed the further scrutiny, my attorney would have had to tell me when I got PA that family court was not done and we would not be 4 months behind and now in the position of possibly never bringing this child home. Yes, the attorney is at fault here too, but the added scrutiny and extra months seem like a waste of everyones time and now PA's are coming very fast, how is this fair? If the US wants to slow down adoptions, stop issuing the 171H's, stop taking PAP's money for I600-A's. The US by slowing things down is impacting cases where people like us have been in process for over a year but had set-backs, the first birthmom changed her mind, now this. Thanks for letting me vent.

Melissa

I was so pleased to see that others have finally started to see this website and Kevin as I always have a one sided finger pointer. I totally agree with Sue who posted on Oct 11 that this site is a hateful pounding ground!!!!! Now that Mary has been sentenced Kevin it is long over due that you move on with your life and leave her and her family alone, the verbal slams have to stop. IT’S OVER!!! Now it’s time for you to be the respectable person you say you are. This is not only affecting Mary but you are hurting her innocent girls and that’s not fair, it’s bad enough that they are going to be loosing there Mother for a year.

I would like everyone to settle down and read the message "Gregg" has shared with everyone on October 13, 2007, at 10:42pm.

My opinion on this case can not be expressed in this forum, but what I can suggest is that you please refer to Gregg's message. Pay close attention to paragraph #1.

Does anyone have doubts regarding Mary's wrong doings in this case? Ask the United States Magistrate Judge in this case if Mary performed a good deed for society. I can assure you that he condemned every aspect of Mary's actions.

Kevin, I hope this reply is within the scope of the forum.

Karenms1,
We usually agree with all that you are saying and many times don't post because you say it much better, lol!

Now, as far as what you suspect may happen/prob with cases that Mary was attached too, we actually do have some history on this as far as the Embassy is concerned.

What we are thinking is that all the cases that Mary's name was on, that have already received pre-approval should most likely not have future problems, in regards to what Mary may have done.

Now, we know of others who are still fighting to get their babies home, whom Mary did have a part in their adoption and some in process over a year. So that is a negative, because some of Mary's contacts were shady/corrupt. We were very surprised to see those that spoke on her behalf, knowing many families who have had negative experiences with these people and knowing that some listed have been tied to corrupt Guatemalan contacts.

However, as far as those who have pre-approval already, we suspect that they should be ok.

Now, as far as other investigations, there could very well be families who will not be able to get their children home.

The last conversation with the Embassy months ago, said that, the Mary investigation was almost over and that there were many families who were in horrible situations due to the corruption in Guatemala.

We're not defending Mary, but just want to add that her lying and deception is a normal/done all the time/ behavior with the shady facilitators and attorneys in Guatemala.

She just got caught. Even with some U.S. agencies who dodge parents questions, give false hope/updates/information and avoid calls and take weeks/months to respond to emails.

Now, here is a question: with the Hague, international adoptions will still continue, right???

Just the children will be older at referral, well, it's very obvious that the child have been victims being placed for adoption when they are only days old. The demand increased with the corruption.

So, isn't it a good thing that the children will have a chance to be placed first with family, then with their own country and then internationally?

Now, everyone says the government orphanages are horrible, so, we know that, but children being abducted and trafficed days and months old to supply the demand to adopt a newborn would be decreased or at least we hope?

Also, if adoption will still be allowed under the Hague, then why are ADA Association of Adoption Defenders, feeling that all adoptions will cease. Is this organization Defenders of all adoptions or only those adoptions that can be done through their associates?

What is very interesting to me is the company Mary Bonn keeps. Sue Hedberg for example. Anytime a PAP complains because they were lied to about a step in the process being completed (and they find out it wasn't) she sends them for a psych evaluation and threatens to pull their referral. Sue Hedberg is surely breaking the law or at the very least civilly culpable under the law.

I have sat for the past week sick to my stomach as I read Mary Bonn’s sentence and the many responses to it. I have nothing but numbing sadness for all the families hurt by her actions, including her own. And it stuns me to read the posts by her supporters who refuse to acknowledge the harm she has done.
Having been in direct association with Reaching Arms International and Mary Bonn, my husband and I have been through hell. And even that was not as bad as other families have had it. Through the power of the internet we read of other people’ s struggles with their adoptions and they were eerily similar to ours. The connection? Mary Bonn. We dug deeper and deeper and what we were told by other adoptive parents and by other agencies caused us great concern.
Still, we felt if we kept it all very business and pushed for documentation of our process, we could move forward with some form of trust. This was denied to us, not only by RAI, but directly from Mary. She told us NONE of her attorneys provide the documentation we asked for. (Interestingly, the other agencies we spoke with all provided this information). She went on to belittle our attempts to fully understand the many details of the process.

The number of lies we were told during our adoption process is staggering. We have confirmed this through information provided by the Embassy, Serjuin Adoption Supervisors and by reading our final paperwork.
Where I am leading with all this is? I don’t believe what Mary has been convicted of is an isolated, one bad decision sort of thing. It’s as though she had her own little adoption empire, with no laws governing what she did. There have been adoptive families unhappy with her methods and conduct for years. Yet no one has been able to stop her.

I don’t deny that there are many families who have had good experiences with Mary. But it hurts deeply for some of those same families to not have heart enough to try and understand the great pain she has brought to others. Guatemalan adoptions are in shambles not only by what is happening in Guatemala, but by what is happening in the U.S. by people like Mary Bonn, Reaching Arms, Waiting Angels and all facilitators and agencies refusing to provide ethical, documented, transparent adoptions.
I looked hard at the names of the people who spoke in Mary’s defense at her sentencing. Two of them are from agencies in my state, Minnesota. I find it impossible to believe they know nothing of Mary’s conduct over the years. By offering support for leniency in her sentencing it seems to me they condone her methods. As do the rest of her supporters who seem desperate for this to not be discussed any further. It is only by talking and exposing the bad that we can help to make adoption stronger.

"Birds of a feather flock together." It does not surprise me that Sue Hedberg and Tamara Hilstrom were there to testify on Mary's behalf. Both are pillars of ethical adoption practices!

Steph,

You indicated that Sue Hedberg refers families who question what is occurring in their adoption process for psychological evaluations and threatens to pull referrals. This type of behavior should be reported to your state's Department of Human Services or whatever agency licenses her agency.

Reaching Arms International Adoption Agency engaged in this type of behavior and it is one of the many reasons they had their license revoked by the state.

Furthermore, as a former client of RAI, may I suggest that if a family is working with an agency that makes these type of threats, that you respond by communicating in writing only. Then, there is a clear paper record of what is said, when it is said, and the tone that is used. I know it helped us. There were also families that taped recorded every conversation. (This is legal to do in Minnesota)

Fellow adoptive parents & Guat adopt writers,

I am a long time reader of this site, and am a mother to Guatemalan children who came to our family thru adoption.

After reading about Ms. Bonn and this case for the past months I would like to share some insights. For what it's worth. I think it helps to remove oneself emotionally for a few minutes to look at the facts presented. Everyone should take some time to review and read the facts presented and that are available on the Ethica site: http://www.ethica.net.org/Bonn_plea_agreement.pdf

As I read thru the document various times a few things really stuck out to me ( and Thank God we live in a country where we have the ability to get the facts!).

1. Mary Bonn *pleaded guilty*. Therefore she is guilty of the crime that she was charged with. There is no gray area here. What she did was illegal under U.S. immigration law. Period. For those who are her loyal supporters - it is their right to expound her good deeds -- but the fact is there was illegal deeds. That fact needs to be faced. Even if her motives were to "save a child" that doesn't make what she did right.

2. I think we can all agree that Ms. Bonn's children will be the ones to suffer the most in this case -- they will lose their mother -- and all of us, with any kind of human dignity, would admit that this is a real tragedy. The other fact is that the many families and children in process have been affected by this situation. More scrutiny is needed. Parents in process need to expect this and be aware of the causes that have led to the tightening up of things. Anger and bitterness get us one place in this life -- MISERABLE. Try to stay positive, keep your chin up and don't let the forces get you down! There is nothing to be gained by bashing, and bitterness. Absolutely ZERO. Constructive criticism goes much farther than any flaming or bashing we can dish out. Let us maintain some sort of dignity in this difficult time.

3. The other tragedy is how this case has effected the future of Guatemalan adoptions. Seriously folks - all the media attention on this case did add fule to this already burning blaze. I lament that this could not have been handled in a more discreet fashion -- where justice could have been served, but without all the drama and intesity which has been reported from this site. ( no offense Kevin & kellly -- but I can't help but think if this site could have kept this under cover a bit or at least in a more conservative fashion -- the climate in Guatemala adoptions would perhaps be a bit more positive) I am not saying that justice should have not been issued -- but it is "how" we go about presenting the facts that sometimes "sinks the ship". I believe the ship ( the future of Guat adoptions) could have been saved had Ms. Bonn and others not chosen this course of action and if this site and other sites could have kept this problem confidential. Did it really have to be made so public and attract so much attention, that in fact has added to the negative light of Guatemalan adoptions? Something to think about for future reference for authors of this site.

4. Finally I find it ironic that thru the months since the Bonn case has come out -- that little attention has been placed on the adoptive parents - the Olsen family. Thru the months that I have been reading the info on this case on this site little info has been issued forth regarding the Olsen family . I suspected the guat adopt team was merely trying to protect them and didn't think much else. I was waiting for the full facts to be made public. In the documents presented in Ms.Bonn's plea agreement it is clearly stated that Mrs. Olsen did indeed go to Guatemala, and had her child in her custody and went to the Visa Appt only to find out that the child was not as healthy as she had expected. The fact is also made known on the documents that the Mrs. Olsen did not bring her daughter home - but left her in the care of Ms. Bonn! That folks was a huge shock to read! As a parent of children adopted from guatemala who were less than perfectly healthy upon pick up trip -- I was astonished that this adoptive mother would have left this child there in guatemala! If Mrs. Olsen was indeed concerned about her child's welfare she should have stayed with her in Guatemala and received the proper medical help. Did Mrs. Olsen indeed pick up the visa? What did she do after that appt? The child was NOT brought home.... she was left in Guatemala. I can not help but ask myself WHY? How could she have done this? Why didn't she stay? In the plea agreement report it is stated that Mr. Olsen wanted his money back, and that Mrs. Olsen indeed wanted to keep the child. My goodness folks - why did this woman not stay to make sure her daughter received proper medical attention? This child was indeed her legal responsibility . Is it not to abandon a child that is legally ours in this country? This is the part of the Bonn story that makes NO sense to me. I would have never left my children in Guatemla. No mother, who deeply cares about her child would leave their child in a 3rd world country -- especially when they know that there child is ill ! The Olsens should also be held under the microscope for their actions here as well. I would be interested to hear from them. The role the Olsens' played is an interesting one to me. I don't in any way say this to support Ms. Bonn's choices in this situation. But it does make me realize that all is not as what has been reported on this site.

In the end I think both parties - the Olsens and Ms. Bonn have made some serious wrong choices in this case. To leave a child in a 3rd world country, knowing that they are not in good health is heartless.......and then to falisfy documents and smuggle a child into this country is also just as unethical.

This is a sad time for the Guat adopt community. I felt I needed to post and share my thoughts and some facts that I feel have been overlooked on this site. Let's try to remember "why" we chose to adopt from Guatemala in the first place. Please folks let's not get nasty, mean spirited and bitter in the midst of a difficult time..... it is my hope that we can move forward with faith and good will towards one another , regardless of where one stands on this issue.

With sincere regards,
Guatemalan Adoptive Parent

Dear CAM;

You miss the point of a free press when you ask that the Mary Bonn case be dealt with behind closed doors.

You do not seem to understand That:

What Mary was convicted of was not the only wrong thing she did, or even the only illegal thing she did. The fact that she did what she was convicted of is the tip of a very sordid iceberg.

What the Olsen's did ( rejecting a child found to be less than expected) is also not an isolated incident. When people are paying so much for a child, there is an expectancy of (as advertised) a certain level of efficiency and quality.

Steve,
While I have generally never agreed with your postings, I have had a respect for them as they stir the pot and allow for debate. But this one to CAM is downright offensive. You are on an adoption site, not a used car lot. Don't you dare equate a child to a price or an advertisement. If you are a parent of a child who is adopted, which correct me if I am wrong, I believe at some point you stated you are not, you would get this. If you want people to appreciate your point of view, then don't be nasty.

Steve and CAM,

I know the family involved. I didn't know them before their child was stolen, but I know them well now. I consider them friends without a doubt. And let us always remeber that this a blog site.

I think it is a worthy topic to debate a PAPs responsibility in the event they discover a child has serious health issues. Like all things adoption, it is not a simple topic. But that is really a debate better had outside of the context of this case.

It is one thing to fault the adoptive mother for leaving Guatemala. In hindsight I'm sure she wishes she hadn't. But we also were not there, we were not her, and in short, none of us have worn her mocassins.

But that is not to be confused with anything implying this was a disrupted adoption because it was not.

The full story has been posted on this site. We stated what happened in a pretty thorough manner. The funny thing is that none of Mary's defenders, with all they have posted, have disputed any of it. The documentation being cited from the sentencing, which actually was written ealier during her plea agreement and was posted to Guatadopt in July as I recall, was a quick run of what occured. It is not 100% accurate in every description and that is not something controversial. It is a legal reporting that focused on the crimes for which she pleaded guilty.

Steve - trust me that if you met the family and spoke to them you would not have accused them of "rejecting a child found to be less than expected". That honestly is a really unfair statement to make and also a bit cruel to people who are victims here.

To everyone reading... Guatadopt prides itself on being fair and accurate. There are so many cases we know of, people we speak to, experience working with families we have that it molds what ultimately goes onto the site. Throughout this case, we have allowed open discourse with two exceptions. We protected the names of the family. now it was either not permit posts with a link to Ethica's site or let that one go - so we did. The other rule, especially early on as these folks rcovered, was that we would not allow people to attack them. I ask everyone to trust our judgement, intimate knowledge of this case, and experience with adoption service providers to lay faith in how we have covered this story.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

To Steve,

Please Sir, I ask you in all sincerity that you offer some level of respect to our adopted children. My children and the other beautiful children of Guatemala that have been lovingly adopted are not "goods" or a commodity... I did not "pay for my child". This kind of tone and language is very disturbing to me. Please sir, I ask you in all sincerity that you consider your words and the power that they yield. Your comments to CAM were uncalled for and cruel. I am also concerned sir, that you would speak this way in front of your own adoptive child. I shudder to think what your child would feel like if you spoke of them as a "good" that you purchased.

Kevin,
I for one have heard all too often of adoptive parents who find some kind of fault or something or another in their adoptive child , on their visit trip, etc. I think it would be benefitial to discuss on this site the responsibilities that adoptive parents have to their children. I shudder to hear parents discuss wanting to adopt a child with "lighter skin tone" . I believe Social workers need to do a better job at equipping and also screening parents who do adopt. Adoption is not about us finding the perfect child -- but about children needing loving and safe homes. I for one would think it benefitial if this site offered some wise counsel on this topic. Perhaps bringing in a Social Worker that does trans racial adoptions for an interview? Too often I run into adoptive parents that are more concerned about the "looks" of their child then about their hearts. How often have I read a post on a list serve where a parent admits their shock to their child being "darker" than they had expected! It is very distrubing to me. How often have I heard from adoption professionals that is more difficult to place children of indegenous race or those precious children who are darker than those who look more caucasian? I utterly cringe when I hear that and if that is expressed openly what kind of image do we set for the world about ICA ?

In any case, I am very deeply saddened that at this time when Guat adoptions are in such turmoil that there is such negativism between each other as adoptive parents. At a time when we should be joining hands and hearts , I read hear of folks tearing each other apart.....

I am sad to see the Guat adopt community become so mean spirited. I think it's time to pause, take a step back, take a deep breath, say a prayer ( if you are a faith filled person) and remember WHY we adopted in the first place and then come back and join hands in support of what we all believe in ---- our children!

Blessings,
Gloria
mom to 5 Guatemalan blessings