Tyler Graf, a 37-year-old firefighter from Texas, was adopted as a young child. He grew up in a loving family but felt “the first five minutes of the movie” were missing from his life. A DNA test and some Internet research revealed something frightening; he was stolen from his birth mother in Chile. That discovery led him on a mission to uncover his past.
Graf found that he was one of the thousands of children taken from their Chilean birth families and adopted by unwitting parents in other countries. At the time, Chile was led by General Augusto Pinochet, who ruled as a dictator. Graf’s mother was told her son died at birth and that she couldn’t see the body. It was all part of a plan by Pinochet’s authoritarian government to “eliminate poverty” by taking the children of impoverished families.
Graf has decided to use his story to raise awareness for the lost children of Chile. He created a non-profit designed to help children reconnect with their lost families.
Related: Utah Woman Has Adopted 35 Kids, But The Rest Of The Story Will Leave You In Tears!
One of the most infamous instances of children being stolen from their birth parents is the story of Edward Galland, David Kellman, and Robert Shafran. At birth, the triplets were separated as part of a mysterious “nature vs. nurture” study.
Unfortunately, twin separation is not uncommon. Adoption agencies say that it is sometimes hard to home twins together.
All children tend to see improved outcomes when they can maintain a connection. When they aren’t placed together, child welfare professionals do their best to help them maintain those family bonds. Unfortunately, Pinochet wasn’t worried about the welfare of the children he stole through illegal adoptions.
Share your thoughts on this story in the comment section below.
Next Read This: Jussie Smollett Maintains His Innocence With New Song ‘Thank You God’
Since being founded by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley back in 1973, KISS has been…
The legendary star Carol Burnett is set to turn 91 tomorrow, and we previously reported…
It's been two years since the former "Full House" star Bob Saget passed away suddenly…
The 1988 comedy Twins starring Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger is a comedy classic. That's…
The legendary film director Martin Scorsese is reportedly considering making a biopic about Frank Sinatra that…
Like a good neighbor, Walter Rudder is there. Rudder, a resident of Collier County in…