Latest news with #Babylift
CBS News
01-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
"Operation Babylift" adoptees talk about their experience 50 years later
'Operation Babylift' adoptees talk about their lives 50 years after fall of Saigon 'Operation Babylift' adoptees talk about their lives 50 years after fall of Saigon 'Operation Babylift' adoptees talk about their lives 50 years after fall of Saigon At San Francisco's Crissy Field, an old building sits largely unnoticed. But 50 years ago, inside Harmon Hall, an event unfolded that changed the lives of thousands of people, including the lives of three little girls. "You know we all went through a lot of trauma," said Lara Price. "I find that I think about it less and less," noted Wendy Norberg. "The fall of Saigon was happening, and they had to get everyone out," remarked Tricia Houston. Leading up to the fall of Saigon, for most of April 1975, the U.S. government airlifted nearly 2,600 Vietnamese children to America for adoption. The series of 32 flights was part of "Operation Babylift." The first flight was unauthorized and occurred on a World Airways DC-8. Norberg arrived on this flight which landed late at night at Oakland International Airport. The first authorized flight crashed soon after takeoff and killed dozens of children. Lara Price survived the crash. Price was then put on the next flight, along with a very tiny baby who in the U.S. became known as Tricia Houston. Tricia was very sick and at 6 months, only weighed 9 lbs. All three babies arrived at Harmon Hall, along with hundreds of other Vietnamese children — all bearing adoption papers thanks to the Babylift. President Gerald Ford, who authorized the multi-million-dollar effort, arrived with his wife Betty at SFO, where he took a baby off the plane. Price, now a musician, was adopted by a military officer and his wife. They traveled around as his duties changed. Tricia Houston, an elementary school teacher, found a new home with a family in Orange County. And Wendy Norberg, an accomplished photographer, was embraced by Ralph and Marilyn Norberg. But the mission was not without controversy. At Harmon Hall, as the children were processed some of the volunteers spoke Vietnamese to the children. "They discovered that a significant number of them had families and that they were not orphans," remarked East Bay Attorney Thomas Miller. Miller, along with the Center for Constitutional Rights, immediately filed a class action lawsuit against the US government to determine who was eligible for adoption. The lawsuit Nguyen Da Yen v Kissinger argued that the detention of the children was unconstitutional, and the lawyers sought to reunite the children with their families. Miller told CBS News Bay Area that some of the Vietnamese parents put their kids on a plane to save them, hoping to join them once the children escaped immediate danger. He likened their action to throwing a child out of a burning building and if the parent survived, they would want their child handed back to them. "All of this would have been preventable if the U.S. government had operated responsibly right from the beginning, remarked Miller. A judge denied the lawsuit and sealed the records. Years later, international family law and immigration expert Rong Kuhtz took a deeper dive. "I discovered widespread misconduct," Kuhtz said. Kultz researched federal, state, and court records involving the Babylift. Miller supplied her with everything he had on the case. She discovered nearly half the children arrived with forged or fake identities, and that there is no paper trial to find who they are or where they came from, and that their actual identities are unverifiable. "I feel a grave sadness," reacted Kuhtz. Today, many of the adoptees have turned to DNA tests to uncover their past. Houston's results had a match. Her biological father had also taken a test. "He was looking, searching for 35 years," said Tricia, amazed at his perseverance and effort in trying to locate her. Price's parents remain unknown. She had a childhood fantasy that one day they would be reunited. "I was hoping that my parents would see me singing on TV, and they would come find me and we'd live happily ever after," smiled Price. As for Norberg, she told CBS News Bay Area that he had no desire to find any biological relative. "To me, that's not important," remarked Norberg. All three clearly love their adoptive parents. Norberg remains busy at work and with her photography. Houston earned a master's degree in education, met her biological father, and adopted a child. "I've had a great life in America and a great life with my family," exclaimed Houston. Some of the adoptees suffered abuse after arriving in the U.S., including Lara Price who recounted how she was sexually abused as a young child by individuals close to the family. She now uses her music to help foster and adopted children who have similar trauma. "It's my superpower and if I can make change with music with other adoptees or foster kids or survivors, I would like that," explained Price. The end of the war was just the beginning for three very different women whose life stories are still being written.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
New Iberia man loses appeal in 2022 murder of 22-month-old
LAFAYETTE, La. () — A New Iberia man who was in 2022 has lost his appeal of that conviction, authorities said. Christopher Ledet, Jr. was convicted by a Lafayette Parish jury on Dec. 13, 2023 for the July 2022 second degree murder of 22-month-old Kaceston Freeman. to life in prison without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. Ledet appealed his conviction on March 14, 2024, arguing that there was insufficient evidence for the jury to have found him guilty. The Third Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction and life sentence on April 23. Ledet was babysitting the toddler, whose mother was his girlfriend, the day of his death. Prosecutors said Kaceston suffered a lacerated liver, a hemorrhage at the base of his brain, retinal hemorrhages and a scalp hemorrhage, and Ledet failed to report the injuries or seek medical care. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Kaceston's mother testified that she worked each day from 4-11:00 p.m., and almost always had left Kaceston with her mother when she worked. The defendant began dating Kaceston's mother in May 2022, and babysat Kaceston twice in July2022. After the first day that defendant babysat Kaceston, July 6, 2022, the baby was taken to the hospital by his mother when she discovered a bump on his head and with stomach problems. The couple split up over that incident, as the mother suspected that the medical issues had been caused by Ledet. However, after Ledet plead with her to take him back, the mother agreed and allowed Ledet to babysit Kaceston again on July 20, 2022, prosecutors said. That was the day that the most serious injuries were sustained by Kaceston, leading to his being discovered the following morning by his mother, unresponsive. Family who tragically lost child gives back to others this holiday season District Attorney Don Landry said he was pleased with the ruling. 'This case has always been about giving this family justice and keeping our community safe from a dangerous defendant who preyed on someone far too young to defend himself,' Landry said. Officials said Ledet is expected to continue to exhaust his appellate remedies, which include applying to the Louisiana Supreme Court for review of the Third Circuit's ruling. Hegseth 'proud' to end Women, Peace and Security program Border buoys may be deployed near Canadian border: exclusive Saved by soldiers, inspired to serve: A Babylift survivor's story Why are more older Americans staying in the workforce? Video shows rescue of boy with autism wandering on freeway Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Wanted Binghamton man captured, allegedly tried to escape
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A Binghamton man wanted on four separate warrants was captured by the Broome County Sheriff's Strategic Response Group over the weekend, the Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday. 42-year-old Christopher L. Knapp was found by the SRG at an address on Moeller Street in Binghamton on Sunday, April 27. He was seen working on a motorcycle outside the residence and allegedly attempted to flee when he saw officers approaching. Knapp was wanted on four separate warrants, including felony Burglary (Johnson City), felonyProbation Violation (Gloversville), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (WhitneyPoint) and Failure to Appear (Fultonville). Knapp was charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree, a ClassA Misdemeanor, and processed before being transferred to Johnson City Police to answer for hiswarrant. Zubayr Griffin named Class AA New York State Co-Player of the Year Saved by soldiers, inspired to serve: A Babylift survivor's story Hegseth 'proud' to end Women, Peace and Security program Wanted Binghamton man captured, allegedly tried to escape Why are more older Americans staying in the workforce? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
