Adopted Woman Finds Out Her Birth Parents Are Criminals | TODAY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ม.ค. 2020
- Donna Freed grew up in White Plains, New York, with loving adoptive parents. When she went searching for her birth parents years later, she uncovered a story of criminal activity, secrets and much more.
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#DonnaFreed #AdoptedWoman #TodayShow
Adopted Woman Finds Out Her Birth Parents Are Criminals | TODAY
I always knew I was adopted. My aunt gave me a doll when I was around 3 and asked me to adopt it by taking care of it for her. I learned I was adopted then.
MommaDMS That was one of the best ways I have ever heard to tell a child at a young age that they are adopted. 😊
Huhhh interesting way to teach a child about adoption good ideA
That is a really adorable and clever way to teach a young child what adoption is
What a beautiful way to tell you ... lovely.
Oh my gosh, how sweet and special. Perfect way to discuss being adopted.
I always feel like if the situation is right than the kids should be told earlier on that they are adopted. It’s less of a shock....
In all situations. They should be told even when they are too young to understand. My friend made a book to help her adopted children learn as they grow. Shes makes it a well known celebration and not a dirty little secret ..
@@marikiemarie7622 absolutley!
My children are adopted out or being adopted out
It is ALWAYS best to inform children about adoption. My children are adopted and I used age appropriate teachings over the years to explain it to them. Starting as young as 2 years old, I would point out pregnant women and tell them she has a baby growing in her belly. Then I would tell them that they grew in another mommy's tummy, not mine. But that mommy knew she couldn't care for them the way they needed, so she gave them to a mommy and daddy who could.
My sister is adopted and she’s always known.
A friend had always bucked heads with his adoptive Mom so after college he worked hard to afford to pay for investigators to find his birth mother who ended up manipulating him. Over the next few years he gave her money while she withheld the name of his birth father. Later she claimed not to know who his father was, in the end he broke off all contact with her. He went to his adoptive Mom, shared what happened with her, and she was very supportive so they grew closer. His then girlfriend, later his wife, also became one of her best friends too. He found the relationship with his mother he had been seeking was always right there at home.
A now deceased friend of mine spent a lifetime seeking his bio mum in Israel but never found her. He reached his 60s, shrugged his shoulders and said '' oh well, I wasn't meant to find her, maybe she was a p*******e or something, it's best not to know''. I felt he would have wanted to know regardless.
The moral of the story is, the grass isn't always greener on the other side
@@mypointofview1111 Wow, that's amazing! Can I quote you??
They made it seem like her parents were Bonnie & Clyde. Yes they committed a crime but that headline is a stretch
Click bait
Agreed, total clickbait
Chasing rainbows with no gold the end
Exactly!!!! Or serial killers🤦🏾♀️
Yeah, I agree. I was expecting them to be akin to like serial killers or something. Maybe not something SO extreme... but definitely not as tame as "my mom faked her own death for insurance money". Meh. Not nearly as juicy as they were making it out to be.
Glad she was able to find out the truth though!
Thought they were serial killers how she was talking. Could have found an interesting story!
Probably still upsetting, as I can Imagine adoptees create all these scenarios of their parents that are fantastic, almost putting them on a pedestal...she would have come crashing down to earth after doing that for years then finding that out.
I was adopted at 3 years old and I always knew!
I was neglected as a child and left to wander during the day and I have memories of being hungry, scared and alone.
I remember the day my siblings and I were taken into care and the trauma of cruel people slapping me when I wet myself and feeling totally rejected and unloved.
I was eventually fostered by a woman who had mental health issues but still it was better than what I had come from. So I will be forever grateful.
I have wonderful children and granddaughter. I have a wonderful life. 🥰
What a lovely, lovely lady to share her personal story of adoption with us! She could have had a whole different reaction to the news about her birth parents and their rather unconventional ways. But, she didn’t! What a warm and compassionate soul .
Look how happy her birth mom looked to have her daughter in her life.
she loves he daughter and vice versa how great of an ending
Imagine faking your death just to be able to raise your baby and then losing her anyway 😭
A baby conceived out of an affair, keep in mind they destroyed peoples lives and only thought of themselves.
@@teresayeates3437 I was conceived from an affair. So what? I'm a human being and I deserve to know and have a relationship with both of my parents because I didn't do anything wrong
@@DarthFurieMarvelous, however this is not about the baby. This is about the adults and their bad/illegal decisions.
@@teresayeates3437 Exactly. Babies don't do anything bad being conceived. It's the choices of the parents that's the point.
She did it for money and to live an easy life. She could've raised her daughter where she was without committing fraud.
I guess that's better than finding out your adopted parents are criminals.
That's exactly what insurance fraud is... a crime.
Donna is a wonderful gracious person. Realizing nobody has a perfect family: some less perfect than others. We all have something to be ashamed about, but our mistakes don't have to take away our value as human beings.
Wonderfully put.
Absolutely.
Criminal parents:
They loved their child. Point is: having an affair can mess up your life.
At least, her parents gave her “Life” through adoption. 💓
prettypleasevideo Amen!
When will people realize that DNA doesnt automaticly equal love? Adopted families can be the greatest love. Adopted families ARE often soul families.
@Jordans Mum Here we go....
Agreed
We still deserve to know where we came from. Also adoptive families can be horrific. Stop trying to tell people how to feel.
Genuinely curious because I can’t imagine how it feels. Why does it matter where you came from? The parents who raised you seem like your real parents to me? And even people who aren’t adopted can have abusive parents.
What are you babbling
So wonderful she had you, otherwise she would probably be alone. I was adopted, but by the time I could have looked for her she had died. I do have 3 siblings but we live so far apart we don't see each other. We're scattered here and their. I can't complain about my life I've had. I was adopted by two of the best parents anyone could have had. They showered me with love.
This is sweet
The intro made me think her parents were Bonnie and Clyde. 🤦🏼♀️
Bahahhaha
Click bait
Same
She is a loving witness to forgiveness, grace and The power of Love. Such a great daughter.
I love seeing her curly hair through the years, so cute 🌈
The parents of my adopted son are criminals. Most common thing ever. It’s not like it’s rare for criminals to lose their kids. This story would be surprising if her parents were both astronauts or something.
Nakidz maybe if they were serial murderers ok that’s shocking
But this wasn’t shocking, interesting or unique at all
Natalia Esco she wasn’t judging them? They’re criminals because they broke the law? And you don’t know what they did either. She never said anything negative about them in her comment. She stated that the story is not surprising or out of the ordinary. People who go to prison and the children have nowhere to go often end up in the system and some get adopted. Where in her comment did she say anything negative? You’re the one making assumptions and acting ridiculous here.
Natalia Esco not everyone who adopts is unable to have children. Some people who adopt truly want to help children who already exist instead of creating more children. The originator of this thread didn’t say anything judgmental about birth parents either, just that it’s not rare for adopted children to have incarcerated birth parents.
Exactly! I thought they were at least going to be murderers!
Absolutely. Even not being able to feed your kids can cause them to be taken away. Nothing surprising, really.
Shes so sweet and genuinely loving towards her mother
I love the way they interviewed her, no old salacious tactics, just a feel good story with lots of compassion for her. 🥰
There are good reasons your adopted in many cases. It was with my daughter. She found her half brother and then we found her mother. But it was a sad story. And she definitely was better off being adopted.
The most amazing part of that story is that the daughter doesn't seem one bit bitter, but, only glad she found out where she came from.
What would she be bitter about? Nothing bad has happened to her.
@@icturner23 Anybody, anywhere, can be bitter about anything for any reason, or for no reason at all.
@@icturner23 bec her parents g her up for adoption.
@@IPlayOneOnT.V. yes seen that in my own siblings/family and others'
@@IPlayOneOnT.V. What a nonsensical answer. Anyone can feel *anything* about anything. It doesn't make it notable if they don't, especially when not feeling that way is the normal response.
Sounds like Donna literally became "Freed" to escape a life of chaos and fraud. She should feel blessed to have had that protection. Her adoption turned out to be the best for everyone, including her son who benefits from the good influences of his mum's growing up.
I was adopted and my parents were crack addicts in Cali...I was adopted by a older couple that ushered me away to Hawai’i
I should write a book too 😂
write it.. every story has been written but not by you
Tell me more!
OMMFG!! they act like these ppl murdered millions of ppl, clickbait much
I am glad she got to meet her mom before she passed!! Aww!!!
I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would lmao
too bad about you
@Rachel Duuude, I fell into the same trap. 😅
Same like what about the dads family... The ones he left
Her parents are criminals. A normal person wouldn't broadcast that on national television.
Right, it was incredibly boring
She got her ability to tell stories from her parents. A great imagination and storyteller.
You can give kids anything in the world but They always look for their blood
Jordans Mum this way of thinking is very sad and toxic.
Jordans Mum I feel sorry for Jordan. He’ll probably wish he had been given up for adoption.
Jordans Mum this isn't true at all. I'm adopted and I know that my parents are who raised me. There are two individuals who gave me DNA but not a life. I thank then that they gave my parents a beautiful gift.
I'm going to throw this word out there that explains everything if you Google it, NATURE. Best of luck on your learning adventure!
actually, what they're seeking is a sense of closure. they seek out biological parents because that's their point of origin. If they found a very detailed adoption record with a history, pictures, etc - many wouldn't go looking any further. They could get closure from the file. However, many records are sealed.
She should be great full that she was adopted by good parents and had a good life.
Well, she obviously is *grateful, so what’s your point?
Her parents really loved her. They went through so much to try and keep her.
So she finds out her parents are criminals and feels the need to go on The Today Show?
$$$$$$$
Hey obviously the con artistry runs in the family lol! Except that she was successful where they failed. 😕😄
I actually didn't want to find my biological mum when I turned 18 I thought I have my family there is no need, but my adoptive mum got cranky and said I must find her. It caused so much heartache for everyone involved but the upside is I found out genetic compositions that I can tell my children to be careful of which would've been great to know.
@Quinn Brophy yes you are absolutely right, I meant my biological mum
@@boyandcatmum did you find her
While I was growing up my parents (who were social workers working in adoption) were very right on and always telling me how they’d help me find my biological parents. I found it extremely annoying and had to insist that they stop. Thankfully they did and haven’t brought it up since.
That’s crazy. Both girls that knew growing up had no desire to find their biological parents. They had it good & figured hey I better off.
You shouldn't have acted like that. It's so important for biological parents to be with their birth kids. You shouldn't have been so quick to judge her especially without knowing what happened. ADOPTIVE PARENTS ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS, THE ONE'S WHO MADE YOU ARE....THAT'S WHY YOUR FOSTER MOM WAS TELLING YOU TO FIND HER, SHE KNEW SHE WASN'T YOUR MOM, AND YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO YOUR REAL PARENTS.. ALWAYS
GENETIC COMPOSISTIONS?? THAT'S WHAT YOU TOOK FROM THAT??? WHAT THE HECK... LOL
Loved this story. Brought tears to my eyes. So glad you found your mom.
Long story short
Broke parents mother faked death
She was wanted as a child
She went to find her mother
Mother was in her hometown
Dad went to jail for 3 years (fraud)
This isn't as cool as I thought it would be.
I thought both of her parents were be Fred and Rose West.
Ikr
I'm adopted and was told young in a simple way that I grew in another mommy's tummy, I saw pics and was told she couldn't care for me and that she picked my parents to have me and they love me just as much as it they had me themselves.. other then that it was left for me to ask questions as I was ready and grew up. I love my parents they are amazing and it was nvr considered a negative thing.
They overreacted this
My maternal "grandfather" had many children and was never in their lives. I did the ancestry dna and got a message from a man and woman asking me about my grandpa, it was his oldest son and daughter. Their mothet told them that he was no good and didn't care about anyone, they wanted to know if it was true or was their mom just bitter. I told them the truth that he has nothing to do with his blood kids or grandkids but has a relationship and does everything for his step daughter and her kids. I told them that he will only let them down because he could NEVER keep his word to any of us. They were raised by their step father but always wanted to know their sperm donor.
The truth should always be told especially if it will prevent a child from being hurt/let down.
I absolutely LOVE this woman's story! It seems her parents really loved her so much, even before she was ever born; and to attempt to fake a death in order to be able to financially keep her is a surprisingly heartwarming reason.
It’s a hot mess. Dumb parents
Not a good story at all. A stupid decision was made by the criminal "sperm" and "egg donor". If they really loved her and wanted to keep her, they would have not turned to such an unwise decision. Lots of poor people have, keep and raise children without turning into criminals!
Yes.
@@susanshaeffer9469 It was a different time. They wanted to run away to raise her. People do crazy things for their children.
@@leesteal4458
They wanted to run away BEACAUSE THE MAN WAS MARRIED and a crook. Baby was an accident.
As a person who grew up with an abusive mother, I’ve often wished a nd fantasized that I was adopted, but I’m not, I’ve spoken with many people who knew my mother is in fact my egg donor/ uterus vesssel😢
Aw, thank you TODAY for sharing her story, and thank you Donna
She didn't Fake her drowning, *_"they"_* faked her drowning. They were 2 con Artists.
Sometimes it's best to give a Child up for adoption, since Not everyone make great parents.
Natural Kinky Curly―Marie
It’s still her birth mom and and filled an empty place in her heart. Thankful you found your birth mom❤️🥰
Natural Kinky Curly―Marie ru eueeueueejeejreueeieeieeieeieejeurieejejeejrjejerjeejejeeejeejeeirjrdjrejesjdsjedjrdjordi
Natural Kinky Curly―Marie 🍏
NOT everyone should be a parent.
Some people are just not mentally/emotionally equipped for that kind of responsibility.
I knew from as early as I could remember that I was adopted. My parents were always completely honest about it, and it was no secret to me or any of my entire family. After my Mom passed away, I found my birthmother. She was completely different than I imagined. I spoke to her by phone but never met her in person. I was SO LUCKY to be adopted, and I never realized it until I saw what I could have been, based on the type of person my birthmother was! It was scary!
why didnt u go meet her in person?
Yes what her parents did is inexcusable, but I love that she
was able to get past the past
I actually feel so sad for her birth mom and dad.
Except the birth dad already had a wife and kids already before the love child...I guess it okay to walk away from your original 5 kids for the new kid and new wife. Make sense
@@phuckfumassters True but I still feel sad.
Not having enough money to flee to another country to raise a child is NOT worth losing their daughter over. I know a lot of people on here are like "OMG what a couple of pieces of garbage" but honestly, they wanted to do the right thing and raise her. It wasn't like they were on drugs or alcoholics.
The right thing he was married with kids he was going to abandon and she was a mistress where is there anything right in that
@@Litandharryginny Thank you!
Wow.
How do you fake your own drowning? What sort of evidence (*cough*cough* corpse) do you leave behind?
You want to find your birth fami!y you may find you don't like a lot about them . Life is not all unicorns and rainbows.
Bottom line is that my parents loved me till day they gone like they were my natural parents...and that's what makes me
If adopted out for no good reason.. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing my face ever again...At the end your family is the Ones sticking by you...
That's why many adoptees don't search. It can be too much to bear.
Parents definition is the people who raise the children.
I am also adopted but having a twin, we were separated and brought up by 2 unrelated families. For what ever reason, lots of different reasons why this happened to us.
So the biological father was okay with going to Spain and leaving his biological children behind...
I found out my biological father was a millionaire after someone impersonated him--even brought a wife by the same name, rented a boat & broke into his business to appear to be him. In reality the real guy never wanted to meet me.
I thought this was very interesting and enjoyed seeing this. Thanks.
This is where it was meant to be that she was adopted
This is awesome. Forgiveness is super important.
It is wonderful to have that connection and see the humanity in others who make mistakes
What makes her so important that they would do a news story on something that happens to MILLIONS of people.
I guess unlike others she decided to share her story! Not everyone wants to share their story!
You sounds jealous of the 15min attention she got.
I enjoyed the story and I'm happy for her that she seemingly turned out well.
Amazing and forgiving
What a story it's great they are together now..
One of the reasons I never tried to find my biological parents. I’m very happy with my adoptive mom and dad
This is encouraging to me, thank you. I am interested in adopting but apprehensive since people keep saying they'll always just really want their birth parents an you're just a substitute.
JulianaHereOnEarth I've never heard of that before and I'm adopted & I also adopted.
JulianaHereOnEarth I have two older brothers and an older sister - all of us were adopted days after birth. None of us ever wanted to find the biological parents. We’ve never felt something ‘missing’. Family is not just by blood.
Deb adoptive parents are never just a “substitute”. They are a replacement.
@@rojdee1 You're not curious about your birth parents? What about medical history? I was adopted from Greece at age 4. In my early 30's, I went to Greece alone to find my birth family, I was successful, also finding 7 brothers & 2 sisters, it was a wonderful reunion, I've been back to Greece to visit my siblings, one year, I even took my daughters
What a touching story ❤
Behind every adoption story there’s a sad story or horrible story.
What an amazing story! Like a storybook with a hint of scandal in it! 😮🌙 ☀️
Cool story. I enjoyed it!
That old lady didn't look like a criminal.
rvpstudioscanada 😂😂😂
Incredible story and beautiful union. ❤️
That criminal record is heaven compared to my family’s. My uncle has 10 felonies and 22 misdemeanors.
Wonderful!
Amazing!
Why is this woman on TV? Why would anyone want to share personal complicated information to the world? Creepy world...
Sweet woman, love her voice and how calm she expresses the events.
I agree
I agree too. She's charming and very well spoken. I thought the male interviewer was rather rude to her, pointing out that her bio parents were con artists and then seemed to be looking past her at something over her shoulder, not paying attention to what she was saying. She handled it very well though.
The nursing home photo is what joy looks like
Be glad they had enough sense to let someone else raise you. Why would a family member other than parents tell a kid they’re adopted?
You have no control over who brings you into this world. You do have control over what you do in life -the choices are up to you. Celebrate life and all the good things that can come your way.
I'm so sorry that her parents didn't make it to Spain and that this lady was adopted. This is a terribly sad story. Her parents wanted to raise her and they should have been allowed to do so.
Yes they should 😢
Lovely story .sometimes it is better to be adopted..
It’s bizarre that she calls the biological parents ‘my mother’ and ‘my father’.
WOWW😳😢What IS UP wit ALL Y’ALL?!?🤠She is telling this Family secret to MILLIONS of people...🤩Opening up so maybe she can help others cause I DO KNOW people that were similar to her parents & straightened out after spending years incarcerated or just strung out on alcohol & drugs!! Maybe this will HELP those people have HOPE that maybe they can begin to reconnect with their children! I’ve seen grown women cry bcoz they might have a chance once they get clean! These three sitting there just don’t know WHAT to say bcoz they only get like 5 THAT IS FIVE WHOLE MINUTES to interview! This story leaves many people speechless! While many may be cynical, just volunteer helping at a women’s resource/rehab shelter or homeless and you may learn MANY sad things you never knew existed. Yes, many people make poor decisions which result in innocent lives being😢affected! This woman was innocent & Thank God she landed in a good home that loved her💕
So sad...
A lot of Criminals produce babies. Unfortunately... they are not capable of providing the care they need and deserve.
what you care is ''love'' and ''feeling wanted'' and to put back your story in one piece.
The smartest thing the biological parents ever did was giving up their child for adoption!
Amazing story and I like the loving end for all
What a great story!
I love the guy reporter, he should be an anchor on the first hour, he has the perfect classic style, but why are they trying to make Robyn a regular? She's not a reporter
Bit of a disappointing story, not exactly criminals, but 'man with mistress tried to fraud insurance company'...
Which is definitely a crime!
Great story!
She's such a lovely lady!
A bunch of crooks who did almost no jail time. I hate it here!
Great story, Blessings to you and your Family.
Her real parents actually loved and wanted her. She wasn't given up; she was taken by the government and sold in adoption. She should be angry at the loss of her family and being sold like a pet by the authorities.
Yes, she should be angry about this. But she also needs to understand that they don't want her to end up like her birth parents. They want her to live a good life.
It’s horrible what they did. They did not deserve to lose their baby.
Beautiful lady inside and out!
🔊 CLICKBAIT title! Mom wasn't a criminal 🔊
Wonderful
These are the stories I want to see more of ! Too short
Great story