By Emily Sims
Washington, DC– The Liberian government has permanently banned Americans for African Adoptions (AFAA) and its affiliate, Cradle of Hope orphanage, from operating within the country, citing serious criminal activities and mismanagement. The Ministry of Gender and Social Protection announced the revocation of the agency’s operational licenses following a Liberia National Police investigation that uncovered widespread abuse and neglect of children under their care.
A letter dated February 19, 2024, from Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie to AFAA’s Country Director, Oretha James, details the ministry’s decision, stating that the agency’s accreditation and sector clearance were revoked due to “widespread abuse and neglect” outlined in the police report. Citing Article X, Subsection 15 of the Children Law of 2011, the letter specifically mentions allegations of “Rape/Endangering the Welfare of Children involving Thirty (30) Children at Americans for African Adoption Orphanage.”
“In view of the results of the police investigation and the subsequent indictments and ongoing prosecutions of the most senior management team of AFAA, along with some of your local staff, it is the carefully considered decision of the Ministry that it is no longer in the best interests and safety of Liberian children for Americans for African Adoptions Inc./Cradle of Hope to operate or run any adoption facility or orphanage,” the letter stated.
The police report details disturbing findings, including allegations that four AFAA staff members routinely subjected children to physical punishments, such as forcing them to hold chairs above their heads for extended periods and beating them with wooden cooking spoons. The report also alleges that AFAA “deliberately failed” to report sexual abuse occurring within the orphanage, allowing a “pattern of continued abuse” to persist.
The police have recommended formal charges against several AFAA staff members, including Elizabeth Gotta, Felecia Brooks, Garmai Nabin Galima, and Martha P. Philips, for “Subjecting a Child to Harmful Practices” and “Failure to Report Child Abuse or Neglect by a Parent or Service Provider,” violating the Children Act of 2011.
Despite the gravity of the allegations and the subsequent indictments, the Ministry of Gender has yet to publicly release the police report or provide updates on the ongoing prosecution of those implicated. This lack of transparency has raised concerns among child rights advocates, who worry that international bodies may still list AFAA as a viable adoption agency, potentially exposing unsuspecting adoptive parents to the agency.
The investigation was triggered by complaints from adoptive parents in the United States, which were reported to the U.S. Embassy in Liberia. These complaints highlighted instances of child abuse and welfare violations that led adopted children to require counseling after settling into their new families. The U.S. allegations also contributed to delays in visa appointments for adoptive parents and agencies.
Sources claim that even after facing suspension, AFAA allegedly misled adoptive parents about the true nature of the situation and the status of the ongoing investigation.
The police report also noted deficiencies in the AFAA orphanage’s layout, stating that rooms were “not strategically positioned to prevent unwanted and unhealthy interactions between boys and girls, especially during the night,” and that the outdoor environment was “not child-friendly and has the potential to cause injury or harm to any of the kids.”
Despite the damning findings, reports indicate that AFAA lobbied for reinstatement, arguing that they provide essential adoption services and had implemented corrective measures. However, the Ministry of Gender rejected these pleas and proceeded with the permanent revocation of their operating permit.
Minister Kollie has stated that cases involving children previously under AFAA’s care will be evaluated for completion by private lawyers, and orphaned children without pre-adoptive parents will be reunified with their families or placed in a Ministry safe home. However, the implementation of these measures remains unclear, as the Ministry has not released further updates since AFAA’s closure.
Stakeholders are also raising concerns about the potential extradition of Cheryl Carter-Schotts, a top AFAA official, from the United States for prosecution and the future of AFAA’s involvement in adoptions involving the U.S. Embassy.
Efforts to reach AFAA officials for comment have been unsuccessful. The organization’s Country Director, Oretha James, has restricted public access to her Facebook page, and the AFAA website is currently offline.
