The Bizarre Reason This Woman Wanted Someone to Adopt a 4-Year-Old Girl on Facebook
A Facebook post in which a woman sought a family willing to adopt her 4-year-old adopted sister has stirred serious controversy and rightfully so.
The message — sent by Mallory Donath to a group of Dubuque, IA, moms — was posted this past weekend and read:
"I need some help. Does anyone know a family who would like to adopt a 4 year old girl. My parents adopted her but got new jobs and they have no time for her. I have 3 kids of my own and can not handle another. Serious inquiries only."
It didn't take long for concerned calls to make their way to the Dubuque police force. After officers investigated and questioned Donath, she claimed it was just a misunderstanding.
"She had no intention of selling the child or giving the child away herself and obviously she wouldn't legally have been able to do that anyway since it wasn't her child," Lt. Scott Baxter told KWWL News. "She said her intention was to seek assistance from adoptive agencies."
Following her run-in with law enforcement, she returned to Facebook with an explanation:
"Let me rephrase. I'm not selling a kid, it was to help find adoption ideas. So calling the police to receive suggestions was ridiculous. She's safe and fine. So thank you for your help."
Still, what "adoption ideas" is she looking for? Adoptions aren't temporary. Just because you've adopted a child doesn't mean your rights are different — most judges, when confirming an adoption, state that the parents now have the same responsibilities as if they birthed the child themselves.
Nonetheless, after a thorough welfare check, officials state the 4-year-old girl is doing fine. No criminal charges are being filed.