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July 25, 2008 10:27:37 PM CDT

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Vietnamese Babies 'Sold to US'

Posted Apr 25, 08 3:47 AM CDT in Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – US adoptions of Vietnamese children are tainted by bribery, kidnapping and baby-selling, according to an investigation by the US Embassy. The report, obtained by AP, discovered that one hospital sold a baby whose mother couldn't pay her medical bills. US couples—including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt—have adopted more than 1,200 Vietnamese children in the last 18 months.

Adoption service providers reported that cash and other donations were diverted by orphanage officials to buy personal property, cars, jewelry, and in one case, a commercial real estate development. "I'm shocked and deeply troubled by the worst of the worst cases," said a diplomat.

Source Associated Press

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Baby girls at an orphanage near Hanoi,Vietnam. Vietnam has failed to police its adoption system, allowing corruption and baby-selling to flourish, according to an investigation by the U.S. Embassy.   (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
Baby girls at an orphanage near Hanoi,Vietnam. Vietnam has failed to police its adoption system, allowing corruption and baby-selling to flourish, according to an investigation by the U.S. Embassy.   (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are among the hundreds of US couples who have adopted Vietnamese children in the last 18 months.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
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China  • kidnapping  • Angelina Jolie  • Vietnam  • bribery  • adoption  • US Embassy  • foreign adoptions  • baby selling


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