I seldom do petitions, but this story is so outrageous that ‘m posting it here. The story needs to get out. The petition is circulated by PEAR: Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform
PLS SIGN THIS PETITION Monday, February 22, 2010 Call for Full Investigation into Amelya Frances Kirkpatrick’s Adoption in Utah
According to a court document obtained by PEAR, on February 9, 2010, Scott and Karen Banks, former owners of adoption agency Focus on Children, were allowed to adopt another child, originally from China. The Banks were indicted on 135 Federal counts in 2007 for a fraudulent adoption scheme in Samoa. In 2009, they pled guilty to Aiding and Abetting the Improper Entry of an Alien in a plea deal made with the US Attorney’s office in Utah. They were given a sentence of five years probation during which time they are forbidden to participate in the adoption business and are required to make payment into a trust for the victims.
The recent adoption occurred after evidence of their illegal activities with their Samoan adoption program were put on record in Utah courts. Also supplied was information regarding the Banks two previously adopted Romanian children.
According to numerous media sources and their now-adult Romanian daughter’s own affidavit, this child and her sibling were flown to Samoa by Scott Banks and left without legal documentation in 2000, leaving these adoptees in a legal limbo. In addition, according to an affidavit given by their caregiver in Samoa, the Banks have had no contact with either child since their arrival, nor have they supported the children in any way since abandoning them in Samoa.
Furthermore, a third child of the Banks, suffering from cerebral palsy and also adopted from Romania, has been alleged in various documents to have been severely neglected in their home. This child was placed in a group home in Utah.
PEAR believes that anyone convicted of crimes involving children should be barred from the possibility of adopting any other children. We also believe that any parents convicted of or with a history of legitimate allegations of child abuse and neglect should be barred from adopting children.
PEAR opposes any practice that does not protect the rights of the child to live a life free from abuse and neglect with qualified and loving adoptive parents. To not hold these rights paramount in an adoption proceeding undermines every moral and ethical standard that each child deserves.
We are sponsoring a petition to be sent to the Governor of Utah asking his office to open an investigation into how and why this family was allowed to adopt another child given their dubious history. If you agree with the statements made please take a moment to sign the petition.
The petition can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/utahadoption/
Measure passed by PEAR’s board 2/19/2010
Signed. This is completely outrageous and unacceptable. What the hell are people thinking to allow this?
Signed this petition as well, it was a no brainer to sign anything agaisnt Scott and Karen Banks.
These people played Russian Roulette with their adopted kids.
And now they want another chance with a fresh clean slate of a child. Utah, this is a true disgrace, it is no wonder that those of us on the outside of Utah, want to stay on the outside of Utah.
Marley I’m posting this in an unrelated comment as I don’t have your email addy and thought you may be interested in another russian adoptee murder .Linda
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/adopted-boys-death-in-us-stirs-russian-anger/400923.html
Adopted Boy’s Death in U.S. Stirs Russian Anger
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WIth all due respect, many of us are suspect of anything PEAR does. Many facts are missing or often misrepresented. After doing independent research I’ll make a decision on whether to sign the petition. Pear should really make an effort to be more objective so that people can trust the information provided, especially something of this nature. If all the facts are accurate I would have no problem signing – sorry I just don’t trust PEAR to be a reliable news source or accurate adoption information disseminator.
Scott and Karen Banks are notorious examples of the moral ethical, and legal bankuptcy of international adoption. The case is well known and documented. They should be in jail. I’m sure independent research should show that.
WIth regard to Scott and Karen Banks, Focus on Children adoption agency, and the PEAR petition.
PEAR, based all of their information on facts and court documents.
Anyone with a moral conscience should sign the petition. I personally know that PEAR has been exposed to many shocking documents on this corrupt case, yet they contained themselves in the petition. Go to poundpuplegacy and read all about this case. Enlighten yourself on the Banks.
I noticed that one of the adopted children that the Banks sent away to American Samoa, signed the PEAR petition against her own adopted parents.
She took a very powerful stance.