Conducting inquires into Abby's One True Gift. Please email me privately.

I was thinking of using them too. I have heard a few negative comments but I would like to know more. If anyone has anything else to add I would appreciate it. One of the things I heard was that they push you to sign their contract real quick. ANy input?

ABBY'S ONE TRUE GIFT

DHS seeks inspection of Waukee agency
LEE ROOD
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

July 15, 2006

Iowa’s human services chief this week asked state inspectors to investigate
a Waukee adoption agency that has been the subject of several complaints by
adoptive parents.

The move came after advocates for some of the parents who had dealt with
Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions in Waukee complained that authorities had
done little to address their concerns raised with police, the Iowa attorney
general’s office, the Department of Human Services and the governor’s
office. The state-licensed child-placing agency arranges roughly 100
adoptions nationwide a year.

K.C. Gerlitz, vice president and co-owner of the agency , said he was
unaware of a letter sent by DHS director Kevin Concannon to the head of a
state adoption group. The letter called for a probe by the Iowa Department
of Inspections and Appeals of concerns expressed by the Iowa Association of Adoption Agencies.

Gerlitz said that Abby’s is subject to more complaints than other adoption
businesses in the area because of its relatively high volume, but that it
has a high number of satisfied customers.

Gerlitz also said he was unaware any parents who had lodged complaints
remained dissatisfied after the agency’s attempts to address them.

“There’s a huge risk in adoption,” he said. “We can’t work with families
that don’t approach us.”

Among the complaints forwarded to authorities this year was one from a
Tennessee couple who alleged Abby’s One True Gift officials misled them
following the premature birth of a boy. The couple said an agency
representative first told them the boy was healthy, but they were later
unable to obtain information about his condition and why the baby was born 13 weeks early.

Another complaint alleged the agency solicited a Missouri couple to adopt
two young Colorado boys in their grandmother’s care, even though it appeared unlikely the boys were legally eligible for adoption.

In both cases, the children were not placed for adoption with the couples in
question.

Gerlitz said Friday he disagrees with how the parents in the first case
characterized the agency’s dealings with them and said the matter probably could be settled only by attorneys. In the second case, he said, the boys were legally eligible for adoption.

State records show the agency did return $9,200 in 2004 to a couple who
complained to the state that the agency matched them to a woman who was never pregnant.

Gerlitz said that licensing officials recently renewed the business’s
license for three years, and that it has attempted to resolve any and all
issues raised by the state.
[B]

I have known close friends and a family member that have been financially and emotionally burned by Abby's One True Gift. Details had been previously posted in a thread right along with the other people that have had same experiences. I, however, you will not find any negative feedback here as the adoption agency often asks for it to be removed. If you really want to know about the true operation of the agency, please ask people to PM you with details. If members post it on the boards, it will be erased before you are able to read it.

Completedfamily

Please email me for details...............

Moderator -- We as adoptive parents have the right to learn and post about every agency, the good and the bad, so we can make an educated adoption decision. This is the 2nd time Abby's posts have been removed in the last 2 months. So much for the meaning of "freedom of speech and expression".

Anyone feel free to e-mail me about our experience with Abby's. Thank you.

Kelly

Kelly, please don't get "freedom of the press" and a membership to a private forum confused. You are welcome to use the board to personally communicate your negative views about an organization, but the rules state that if the company receiving negative comments wants the negative posting removed, we will do it. One suggestion is to communicate negative news by way of personal messages to individual users.

Why such rule? Right or wrong, we do not want to be the host for people to try to ruin the business of others. ABC Adoptions does not want to be sued for hosting a forum that slanders anyone.

Adopting Parents can have "blind email addresses" and be at no risk when it comes to slander or defamation of character.

That is the long and short of it.
Jennifer
www.abcadoptions.com

To Jennifer:

If there weren't agencies, facilitators, etc out there taking advantage of not only adoptive parents, but birthmoms as well, there would not be a problem. Adoption use to be such a wonderful, loving event in someone's life. Now we have to be afraid of losing the child we think is ours and not to mention it's all about the money these days. Don't get me wrong I don't think anyone should be slandered if they are a reputable agency/facilitator, but when they start ruining peoples lives, they should be slandered and PUT OUT OF BUSINESS.

As an adoptive parent myself, I feel I should stick up for Jennifer from ABC. We all joined agreeing to the rules. There is always two sides to every story and although I am not sticking up for any of these disreputable agencies/facilitators, they are making money off of us adoptive parents.
We have a choice of who we wish to do business with and I don't understand for the life of me why anyone (unless you are so rich you can stand to loose the money if it falls through) why you would pay a facilitator tens of thousands of dollars and that doesn't even cover your finalization, expenses, homestudy etc...
These companies are taking advantage because we let them.
I like most of you wanted a baby so bad it hurt but you put yourself in great risk paying someone money with no guarantees. We had an adoption plan ourselves that included what pbmom expenses we were willing to pay and drew the line. We were not going to be so desperate as to let someone take advantage of us. We all know there are never any guarantees that the adoption will go through but you can limit your risks.
Like many people have done here posting "PM me and I will tell you our experience" should suffice.

You are correct, but I guess my point is there are 2 sides to every story and fortunately thre are forums like this one where we can share experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly. This is the best way I know of to share experiences and keep the bad and ugly from happening to others.

I would be happy to share my experience with OTG with anyone who like to hear it. Please pm me.

You could email me or pm me as well for our experience. I will be gone this coming week.............but I can get back to you.

Kelly I agree with you that we should be able to say what we want .

Just my 2 cents...
We should be able to share info and type what we
want. we are not using foul language.
We are making the statements. ABC would not be liable
for libel or slander regardless because you are not
making any of the statements.

Andddddd for the record..

ABC You can NOT get in trouble for slander by someone
else stating their FACTS. FACTS being the OPERATIVE
word.

No one on this board can "slander" anyone...slander is
spoken word. It can only be done orally and you would
have to hear it (AND unless someone can show me how we
can all audibly hear a computer besides "You got mail"
please do tell)for it to be slander.

Before you post to me about Libel, which I know you
will If I bring up slander .Libel (similar if not
synonimus with slander is the knowing dissemination of
untruths that harm the commercial or personal
reputation of another individual. If whatever you're
writing is TRUE, it can't be libel. If you have a
fact-based proof of something and it's not just your
"impression," writing about it is NOT libel.
It may not be very nice but if it is true, you
cannot be charged with libel.

So don't use that as an excuse for taking down true
posts. This board is supposed to warn paps of scams
or otherwise unethical professionals.

Why would you hinder us from doing so.

Gina

Gina, thanks so much. The adoption community is a close-knit group of friends helping each other every step of the way. We are all working toward the same goal -- to build our families through an HONEST, LEGAL and SUCCESSFUL adoption. Through our contact with each other (sometimes daily), we all share any new information and help each other get over the rough spots along the way.

Thoughout the adoption journey, some people have good experiences and some people have bad experiences. UNETHICAL adoption practices are affecting TOO MANY innocent families, both emotionally and financially, who just want to grow their families through adoption. This needs to stop and through our honest posts on this board we will educate each other every step of the way. The ultimate goal is the children we are so longing to make a part of our family!

Kelly

Thank you to all that pm'd me. I am very glad I asked questions. No I will not be using Abby's. I was given this number for people to call if anyone had problems. I would imagine this post will probably disappear. But it's worth a shot.

IA Attorney General's Office is investigating Abby's, if you have had problems contact:

Steve Switzer phone number is 515-281-8771

Thanks again for your help.

Taylor

Thanks Taylor for posting this info!!!

It is very important that if you have had problems to contact Mr Switzer!!!!

You are welcome. I also got this today. If you need to file a complaint with the state (IA) licensing specialist....... contact .... you can send a written complaint to .... Jim Friberg. His email address is james.friberg@dia.state.ia.us and as well as Steve Switzer at the IA Attorney General's Office. (see above post for Steve Switzer's phone number)

You need to contact both people! Each person has a different job...one to revoke the license...the other for criminal/civil charges.

Good Luck to you all!

Taylor

Please pm me any info on them. We are talking with them about a possible situation and were looking for info on Abby's One True Gift. Any info would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would not go with them. Have friends that were seriously burned by them and I have see a lot of bad stuff on this site about them.

I have nothing but good things to say about them! Please feel free to email me privately.

I would be very cautious. There are many adoptive parents that are waiting to be re-matched with a birthmother through Abby's, so it is hard for me to believe that the adoption situation that you are interested in through them is one that NONE of their already contracted waiting families are interested in???????? Makes you wonder..... Also, they are being investigated by the Iowa Attorney General's office. The AG's office has had numerous complaints from many people concerning Abby's. If you would like more info, please PM me. I would be glad to share all that I know, and believe me it's not good.

I would personally not do it! It is not worth it!!!!!!!!

I had two failed tries with them. One of which we had a little boy for three days. I later discovered that the "birthmom" had already been turned away from other agencies for being a scam. Nice. All OTG would have had to do was a little bit of research to find that out. They never did place a child with us, but they did keep all the fees we paid them.

Wow, you guys! I wish I had found this forum sooner....My husband and I just received all of their information this week and are beginning this whole process. What kind of complaints are being made? We are totally new to this and can't afford to be burned right out of the gate! Any help/info would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Mammakat

mammakat,

Educate yourself, don't rush into anything! Read, attend support groups, network with others, educate yourself in all areas of the triad, learn to detect red flags. With anything..there is always a little bit of truth to any complaint you hear. Plus....many people do not speak out for various reasons....if it sounds to good to be true. ..it probably is.

Verify all information, document all contacts made...and most important trust your instincts!

Blessings to you on a safe adoption journey!

Kelly

www.thecruelestcon.com

"The Cruelest Con: The Guide for a S.a.F.E.Adoption Journey"

One more thing...RESEARCH...RESEARCH...RESEARCH...leaving no stone unturned!

Very good advice, Kelly!!!!!

Many of us that have posted on this forum would be more than happy to share our experience with you concerning Abby's. Just PM or e-mail us at your convenience. Thanks!

Kelly

bumping this up!!!

I would be happy to share our experience (pm'me). We got link through an referral service. We did not proceed with the situation (from my knowledge) and we did not feel comfortable after our discussion and rediscussion's with them.

We were signed up with them for a while and would be happy discuss our experiences with anyone who wants to know about them. Just PM me.

We are also looking at a situation through them and would like information about the agency. Please PM with more info.

We have been interested lately in several situations with Abby's. We're hesitant and looking to hear the particulars of people's experiences. Please PM me. Thanks!

I'll PM you.

I too, would be happy to share my experience with OTG. We did at one time consider them as well.

Hi,
You are welcome to PM me as well. I just had a successful adoption with them in Aug and have nothing but good things to say. I will be using them again as well. Thanks!

Please note that my posting was removed on 4/24/2008.
Thank You

This thread is old, but if anyone is now considering Abby's One True Gift for an adoption feel free to pm me for my story. Not good.

We have talked about signing up with Abby's One True Gift, but we haven't done so yet. Anyone willing to share their experience with Abby's One True Gift would be much appreciated (email any info). Thank!

Any Cpmplaints call Steve Switzer. he's had some inquiries and possible complaints recently and it's very important to get all complaints filed. We will be filing one soon!

I would strongly urge you NOT to use this agency. We were matched with a birthmom that had THREE other families also "matched" with her. One single phone call to a lawyer in her town and WE uncovered this. We also found out that the birthmother had a criminal record (this was uncovered when she was charged with a crime for the adoption scam - again Abby's did nothing to assist with this prosecution and the criminal history was public record so I highly doubt they did any background check). The also refused to refund us the fee although the fact that the birthmom had a crimnal record meant that they had violated the contract. At that point we simply did not have enough money to take them to court to get it back. They are unethical and irresponsible.
If you want more info please feel free to email me privately.

I know that many people have had experiences with Abby's One True Gift. If you have worked with them recently I would love to hear about it. We have been presented with two situations in the last two days, both of them connected to One True Gift. I need to know more before we can proceed

We have recent expierence with Abby's feel free to PM me

If anyone is able to contact me with anything current, I'd love it!
Looking also at American Adoptions and Adoption Center of Choice as ones I'm trying to dig deeper into...
Thanks~!!

I've always heard great things about American Adoptions. If I had to do it again for this adoption I would probably use them...