Charleston-based adoption agency accused of human trafficking

This Young girl said her Ethiopian father sold her.

By Ian Silver
CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - An adoption agency based in Charleston has been accused of trafficking children.

The Christian World Adoption agency, one of 70 international adoption agencies licensed in
Ethiopia, was founded by Tomilee and Robert Harding in Charleston in 1991.

After a scathing report by the Australian Broadcasting Company, CBS Evening News' Armen Keteyian aired a story Monday evening accusing the organization of misleading adopted parents here in the States, and engaging in unethical practices in Ethiopia.

"Aside from the gender of the children, everything else proved to be a complete lie," adopted mother Katie Bradshaw said.

CBS' investigation tells the story of Bradshaw and her husband, who adopted three Ethiopian sister she was told were ages seven, four and six. Turns out the girls were actually thirteen, six and eleven. And the girls themselves were unaware they were being permanently adopted.

"I thought we were like exchange students, like you go back to your country and see your family," adopted Ethiopian Journee Bradshaw said. "Honestly, I never knew that I'm going to be here forever."

Making matters worse, the CBS investigation alleges the girls' father was paid by Christian World Adoption to give up his daughters.

"Your dad was paid," Keteyian said.
"Yup," adopted Ethiopian Mia Bradshaw said.

"By Christian World Adoption," Keteyian said.

"Yup." Mia Bradshaw said.

"For you to be adopted," Keteyian said.

"Yup," Bradshaw said.

"You were sold," Keteyian said.

"Yeah," Bradshaw said.

But Charleston attorney Curtis Bostic, who represents Christian World Adoption, says there's more to the story.

"How do you respond to charges that C.W.A. knowingly deceived or misled adopted parents through the adopting process in Ethiopia," Keteyian asked.

"Those allegations are completely unfounded," Bostic said.

Bostic says C.W.A. has a long record of successful and legal adoptions all over the world.

"Sometimes people are upset when they just simply misunderstand things," Bostic said. "And I believe that's exactly what you're hearing. There have been thousands and thousands of adoptions conducted by C.W.A. all over the world. Is there going to be a handful of folks who misunderstand or who aren't happy with their adoptions? There's going to be. And we regret that."

Live 5 News talked to Curtis Bostic Monday night, but we were unable to record an interview.

There are currently two legal actions against Christian World Adoption.

Christian World Adoption is listed as a fully accredited adoption agency on the U.S. State Department's Web site.

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