Survivors Expose Decades of Forced Adoptions, Religious Coercion, and Abuse Within Secretive Christian Sect
Women who were once part of a secretive Christian sect in the United States have spoken out about being coerced into giving up their children for adoption. According to former members, hundreds of adoptions could have taken place between the 1950s and 1990s, often under immense pressure from church authorities.
The sect, known as The Truth or the Two by Twos, has come under scrutiny after an investigation revealed allegations of child sexual abuse within the church, with an FBI probe now underway. Many adoptees placed within the church system have reported experiencing abuse and neglect.
Coercion and Pressure to Surrender Babies
Four women, all unmarried at the time of their pregnancies, shared their harrowing experiences. For some, the church’s teachings created an environment where the idea of keeping their babies was equated with sin and damnation.
One woman, pressured into giving her baby to a married couple after being raped in 1988 at age 17, recalled:
“My fear of going to hell was so great that it forced me to make up my mind to give up the baby.”
Another woman said she was not allowed to see her baby before being separated forever.
‘Baldwin Babies’ and Unchecked Adoption Process
The adopted children, known as “Baldwin Babies,” were placed in homes overseen by Dr. Wally Baldwin, a late sect member and doctor. While the exact number remains unclear, it is believed fewer than 200 adoptions were managed by Baldwin. Some former members say the adoption process lacked adequate vetting, leaving children vulnerable to abusive situations.
Several adoptees reported enduring severe physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in their adoptive homes. One woman recounted being placed in a second family where she suffered from daily beatings and sexual abuse by an uncle. Another was placed in a home where sexual abuse began at age 15.
The Lasting Impact on Mothers and Adoptees
The emotional toll of forced adoptions is immense. Melanie Williams, 62, who gave up her baby in 1981, recalled the fear of eternal damnation she felt if she kept her child:
“If I keep this baby, I’m going to go to hell. If I keep the baby, I can’t go home.”
Though some women, like Sherlene Eicher, eventually reunited with their children, the trauma of separation and loss remains. “We just hugged and hugged,” Sherlene said after meeting her daughter years later.
A Community Rebuilding from Trauma
As stories of abuse and forced adoptions surface, former members are finding solace in online communities. Facebook groups for Baldwin mothers and babies offer a space for support and solidarity. Melanie Williams shared,
“It’s been like finding my tribe. I’m not alone anymore.”
Despite the trauma, these mothers and adoptees are finding healing, holding on to hope for the future.
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