Buying a Baby: Melanie Capobianco’s Testimony About Saving Veronica Rose Brown

Baby buying; the cost of adoption

Adoptive Couple v Baby Girl Court Transcripts pages 165 to 225 Released

By drip and drabs, we might one day see the full story of the unethical adoption seizure of Veronica Rose Brown.

Just to recap, currently we have the court transcripts from the September 2010 South Carolina Court trial of Adoptive Couple vs Baby Girl:

Today we’ll be adding:

Pages 165 to 225 of Adoptive Couple v Baby Girl Court Transcripts; Melanie Capobianco’s Story

Now of course there are some little tidbits that I do feel the need to point out.

Baby buying; the cost of adoptionIf you happen to take Melanie Capobianco‘s testimony at face value, then this is a clear case of “what not to do in adoption” and perhaps a word to the wise would be: DO NOT TRUST your ADOPTION lawyer!!  Or at least pay attention!

Now granted, at the end, Mr. Ray Godwin seems to come back to clear up his own name and make sure that the transcripts show that he did inform the Capobiancos of some important warnings regarding the status of the adoption, but..

Either the Capobiancos were not bothering to pay much attention to the adoption process and the legal steps necessary to have everything done properly.

Or

 They were too busy only hearing what they wanted to hear and just blindly signed off and paid fees as required.

 Or

Mr. Godwin, who is also involved in a Second Indian Infant Whisked to South Carolina for Quickie Adoption with complete disregard to the ICWA which, after Baby Veronica, Mr. Godwin should be all too familiar with to be able to ignore, did try to pull a fast one on the Capobiancos. Perhaps he told them what they wanted to hear and happily took their money; never imagining that Dusten Brown would have the nerve to fight for the right to parent his own child.

Or, as I would assume,  perhaps, a little bit of all three.

I, again, reading between the lines, do see Mr. Goodwin as trying to cover his own ass. After all, not only is his reputation now severely damaged, but his wife, Laura Godwin, is the director of Nightlight Christian Adoption’s South Carolina offices, which handled the whole baby Veronica Rose Brown mash up.So if they don’t watch it, I would assume the Godwin’s could lose all the means of their income!

Yes, Melanie Capobianco testified she had a DWIHowever, I also do see Melanie unable to remember a damn thing and I find that very hard to believe. (And this is the point where I will refrain from making and DWI and drunk snarky comments even though I do have to point out that she does admit to those factual truths. I actually do feel that being the DWI and under-aged drinking happened decades ago, as Mealanie Capobianco is obviously MUCH older than her twenties, the fact that she had be expunged for driving drunk does not affect her parenting at this time. We do all make mistakes and that is hardly the worst of them, in my opinion!)

Anyway, I do find it hard to believe that she didn’t literally POUR over every scant bit of information  that they were given about the possibility of Baby Veronica and worry and wring their hands over every tiny movement in the adoption process.  Perhaps, I am stereotyping, but in my experience that is what many perspective adoptive parents do. They also tend to tell everyone and their brother about each little bump or hiccup every step of the way. Damn, I wish they had been blogging.. “Our Journey Home with Veronica Rose”

But really, what I would like to point out here is two main things:

The Cost of this Adoption aka Baby Buying

So in April of 2009, right around the time that Christy was getting all pissy with Dusten, the Capobianco got in touch with Mr. Godwin.

There was a “birth family background report” performed by Nightlight Christian Adoptions where I am assuming they hear about the potential “adoption situation” aka Christy’s pregnancy. That had a fee of only $375.00.

Now Melanie also talks of initially contacting “June Bond”. She is associated with the home study that was preformed around the same time in early April/ May of 2009 and referred the Capobianco’s to a private adoption attorney, namely Mr. Godwin “picked off a list”. Now, June testified that she was paid $1,075.00 for the home study, but Melanie claims that the home study was $1,500.00 for the initial part, then another $500.00 for a post placement and then another $100.00 for a post post visit.

Now there was ANOTHER agency, Adoption Advertising (but Melanie cannot really remember the name of them) that was in contact with Christy and that facilitated the match. They got $8,700.00 though for WHAT I am not exactly sure.  Now, being that Melanie can’t remember who she gave almost 9 grand to, I cannot verify who these folks are.  I did just happen to Google the name and there does happen to be an organization working out of South Carolina under that name! Now, the person who is listed for this organization is Vicki Dalia and she, from a quick Google search, seems to be a big time adoption addict with 8 of her own and an “orphanage in Guatemala, and has quite a bad reputation as a money hungry facilitator.  Now I don’t know for sure if this is who got the money and made the connection with Christy, but I would not say no.

Vickie Dalia Adoption Advertising unethical costs of adoptin

See, for an older couple with a lot of money like Melanie and Matt Capobianco, and an adoption that was seriously fast tracked like Baby Veronica’s, then you DO need to pay up front and pay big time to get your hands on baby that quickly! Or as one post about Ms. Vicki said:

 “If your priority is finding a match at any cost and are willing to get more involved with the adoption I would recommend her. One tip I will give if you do use her as soon as you get matched get the birthmom’s phone number (she will give it to you) and work directly with the birthmom. She prioritizes new situations and once you are matched I found her to be very disinterested.”

I will also add that I found about 56 listings for different websites in about 7 minutes and most of them were now dead ends. She was out of Virginia, reportedly moves moms to Utah, so that says to me that she changes names a lot and stays one step above the law, but is not ethical at all. Somehow, I am not surprised.

Then we have Phyllis Zimmerman who is Christy Maldonado’s attorney, paid for by the Capobiancos. She was paid $2,500.00 in the beginning and forgetful Melanie suspects that the fees are “a lot”  more now since Christy has had more contact with Phyllis Zimmerman that was previously assumed she would when the retainer was paid.

Carol Nichols who also represented Christy during a later part of the trial was alos paid for by the C’s. but they hadn’t had a bill yet. We can assume a typical legal retainer of a few grand. I guess they also had to pay Dr. Saylor for testing about “bonding” and such.

The True Cost of Adoption Baby Veronica Rose

Of course, the initial retainer to Ray Godwin, adoption attorney extraordinaire, was $3,500.00, but Melanie who is wealthy enough not to have to worry about such things, assumes that she must owe or have  paid somewhere around 30 to 40 thousand dollars by the time of the trial in 2010. Need I point out that this was over 3 years ago and I can’t begin to imagine what amount of time must go into the preparation for both South Carolina Supreme Court and then  United States Supreme Court appeal.  But three years ago, by conservative  addition, we are looking at EASILY fifty thousand dollars spent on this unethical  adoption. I am sure that it is easily over a quarter of a million dollars now.

I am not sure WHY, no matter how much they loved little Veronica, the Capobiancos didn’t just stop and try to buy another baby who was less trouble. It’s not like they invested all that time, really. They started adopting in April and they had a baby in their hands by September. That’s less than 6 months.  Just call a do over already. Man, they could have bought out  a dozen kids by now and been happily drowning in sippy cups and diapers.

And then just one more little thing; Can someone please explain to me how this women has a PhD in developmental psychology?

I would assume that she had to at least study a tiny bit about CHILDREN? I guess not!!!

the adoption cost too much for veronica emotional health

Umm.. lady, It does not take a PhD to KNOW that the emotional cost of the adoption to Veronica is going to be way more than you will ever be able to pay. She is going to hate you FOREVER and you will not be getting the nice sweet little loving child that you think you paid for.

Ok there are other important facts to be pointed out, but go ahead and read it for yourself. I am interested in what you see between the lines.

About the Author

Claudia Corrigan DArcy
Claudia Corrigan D’Arcy has been online and involved in the adoption community since early in 2001. Blogging since 2005, her website Musings of the Lame has become a much needed road map for many mothers who relinquished, adoptees who long to be heard, and adoptive parents who seek understanding. She is also an activist and avid supporter of Adoptee Rights and fights for nationwide birth certificate access for all adoptees with the Adoptee Rights Coalition. Besides here on Musings of the Lame, her writings on adoption issue have been published in The New York Times, BlogHer, Divine Caroline, Adoption Today Magazine, Adoption Constellation Magazine, Adopt-a-tude.com, Lost Mothers, Grown in my Heart, Adoption Voice Magazine, and many others. She has been interviewed by Dan Rather, Montel Williams and appeared on Huffington Post regarding adoption as well as presented at various adoption conferences, other radio and print interviews over the years. She resides in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband, Rye, children, and various pets.

10 Comments on "Buying a Baby: Melanie Capobianco’s Testimony About Saving Veronica Rose Brown"

  1. Keely Denning | September 9, 2013 at 3:13 pm |

    I find it ironic that is the start of cross, that Melanie was to be called “Adoptive Mother” but by the time Mr. Goodwin is re-direct, he is on a first name basis! Not just with Melanie, but he calls “Matt” to the stand as well!
    More interesting is the fact that Melanie clearly testifies to the fact they are NOT Veronica’s adoptive parents! But we all know, once they went public, they wave magical words that “Veronica is our adopted daughter” Could this be another opps on Jessica Munday’s doing? Did any of them realize that some day, all of their testimony would become public knowledge?
    A word to the wise, don’t hire a PR firm and tell lies.

  2. I get the impression the Capos think they can force Veronica to love them.

    My understanding is that Melanie has a PhD (which is a Doctor of Philosophy) in psychology and her specialty is child psychology. Pretty ironic that a child psychologist knows nothing about child psychology. Her actions show she is clueless about the effects of this never ending legal battle on Ronnie and how it would affect her to be uprooted and made an adoptee. Obviously, the Capos think only of themselves regardless of their educational level.

  3. Gaye Tannenbaum | September 10, 2013 at 9:21 am |

    I’ve never heard of a child removed from a fit biological parent at such an advanced age. We’ve had children returned to their biological parents but I can’t think of any who wen the other way. So all those books on adoption and bonding are going to be about the adopters raising a child who was either given to them at birth (“your mother loved you so much she gave you to us”) or was removed because of abuse or neglect (“your parents had some personal problems and they couldn’t take good care of you”).

    Yes, “we’re going to tell her the truth” eventually – which begs the question: Just what is YOUR version of the truth Mel?

  4. Kathryn foster-Martin | September 14, 2013 at 8:01 am |

    And of course nobody cares about the children. If the Capobiancos, their attorneys, paid adoption age cries or child “protective” services cared, there are tens of thousands of infants born addicted who are sent home to live short lives of hell. Why they are not rescued and placed in safety is evidence that their well being is of no concern.

    Of these children, a large number come from homes in which addiction is a legacy: therefore, there are no eligible family members to care for them. If the “system” were working, there would be plenty of kids available for adoption. Of course. Would those children be “desirables”?

    Please help our granddaughter. Sign and share. Thanks.
    http://www.signon.org/sign/sarasota-sheriffs-office

  5. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around Melanie’s complete and utter lack of understanding of just what this will do to V should she be forcefully handed over to them. Do they honestly believe that she will love them and thank them for the damage they’ve done to her, her sister, her stepmom, grandparents and of course, her father? Snatch her up, throw her father in prison for doing what any parent would do when faced with a threat to his child and go dance away into the sunset with their purchased prize? I have some theories regarding Melanie, but I will not speak of them here. It just blows my mind that her entire logic behind this seems to be rooted in believing she “wants her more” and should be entitled to have her.

    • Randi, I too have been struggling to make sense of the same issue. If you care to, I would be interested in reading an expansion of your “theories of”.

  6. I find this entire situation disgusting. This poor baby has a loving BIOLOGICAL father willing and ready to take care of his baby, he has been taking care of her and these two “people”, if you can even call them that, ripped her away like she’s a possession. You can definitely tell who loves this child more, and it sure isn’t the adoptive parents. I don’t like quoting bible stories, but wasn’t there a story of two women, fighting over a baby and King Herrod told them that since he couldn’t tell who was the real mother he would just cut the baby in half and the real mom gave in and gave the baby to the fake mom… With that simple act, King Herrod knew who the real, loving mother was… the one that would do anything to keep the baby from hurting. Melanie is the fake mother. She doesn’t care what this is going to do to Baby Veronica…she wants a child and doesn’t care what effect it has on the innocent. I wish there was a way to contact Melanie and Matt and inform them of the disgust that is out there for them and how they are really, really, REALLY crappy human beings.

  7. There is so much money in the adoption market that it has completely corrupted our legal system. Imagine what terrible emotional scars this child must have, in the future, from having been ripped away from her father, who desperately wanted her, and then having to grow up with the people who abducted her. Don’t children have any rights?

    It’s not a matter of which parent is the “best” parent. It matters which parent IS the parent. HER FATHER is her parent. If the father didn’t want her, then adoption might be possible, BUT HER FATHER DOES WANT HER.

  8. I can only imagine what “Veronica” will think in the future regarding this entire fiasco as she becomes aware. For the idiot politicos/Supreme Courts involved to use her as a political football to be kicked back and forth with no real regard to how she will feel about being forced out of the hands of her biological father who fought for the right to raise her, is pathetic (so much for those politico/judicial types who make such an ostentatious show of “supporting our troops,” what a shock that those words are again reduced to having no worth when it comes to truly supporting a member of the military in a time of need). Not to mention how devastated it will be to her as she enters school and the inevitable crap she will have to endure over this entire debacle, year in and year out, not to mention the accumulating emotional baggage she will acquire and drag with her throughout her life over this mess (e.g. dealing with the emotional turmoil of questions about her not resembling her adoptive parents, internal questions over why her biological parents didn’t try harder to get her back, etc., then there is the whole Cherokee descendant, American Indian history-Trail of Tears-Native American ancestry psychological trip…). FWIW, a very good friend of mine is Native American who was adopted at birth, who’s adoptive mother refused to tell her anything about her tribal ancestry, due to it being a “closed adoption” (this adoptive mother was coincidentally also a psychology PhD.) and it has taken quite an emotional toll on her throughout her life. I can only imagine what it was like for her to never know anything about her true ancestry beyond “you’re an American Indian/Native American.” Let’s face it, the deck was stacked against the biological father and his child by the legal system of this country, those who truly had no regard for the actual best interests of this child. I wish “Veronica” and her father all the luck in the world, she and he are gonna’ need it, especially with “Veronica” being in the custody of such a morally and ethically challenged, selfish, venal egotist as Melanie Capobianco as her adoptive mother.

  9. Guess the drunk old white woman couldn’t have kids of her own. may a pox be on her house

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