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Speak Up! Memphis

Anna Mae He Custody Battle: Hes and Bakers Talk Face to Face

The nine-year custody battle for Anna Mae He is entering a new chapter. As the Hes prepare to take Anna Mae back to China, both families - Hes and Bakers - sit down together for a television interview.

Jack and Casey He fought against Jerry and Louise Baker for almost a decade, trying to regain custody of their little girl. Shortly after Anna Mae's birth, the Hes agreed to give up custody to the Bakers, who live in Germantown. The Hes told the courts they thought the move was temporary, while the Bakers argued that the little girl had been abandoned. After a long battle, taken all the way to the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Hes were given their daughter back.

Both couples spoke with ABC reporter Jim Avila in an interview which will be aired on ABC's "20/20" Friday, February 8, 2008.

"Okay, as I said in the past, all the past bitterness is forgotten," said Jack He. "Put away, you know, and to err is human. To forgive is divine."

Jack He told the Bakers that he has forgiven them and wants to move on to the future. He said he wants to do things in the best interest of Anna Mae, and "if it is her psychological and emotional needs for her to stay in touch with both of you, then we will encourage that."

Jack He said, however, he no longer wants Anna Mae to refer to Jerry and Louise Baker as "mommy and daddy", as she did when she was living in their home. He says that is the only way Anna Mae can think of he and Casey as her real parents. Louise Baker said it is a change that will take time to adjust to.

"I mean, it's just natural after eight years," she said. "You know, we've always been there and we'll do what we can, but we feel like she needs to know in her mind that she's got two sets of parents that love her very much. And to disown one or disown the other, you know, where she has to fight to think which one, we want her to be happy with both families."

Jerry and Louise Baker will have to endure another separation from Anna Mae, because the Hes are preparing to head back to China. According to ABC, the Bakers are trying to find a way for the Hes to be allowed to stay in the U.S.

You can see much more on the He/Baker interview during "20/20". The show will air at 9:00 p.m. Friday, February 8, on ABC24, followed by Eyewitness News Everywhere at 10:00.

What do you think? It's your turn to Speak Up! Memphis.

Published Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:31 PM by APhillips

Comments

 

East Memphis said:

This appears to be yet another case where Allisandratos abused his imperial judicial authority.  He had to be the most incompetent judge to ever sit the bench.  If you are a social buddy of his . . . .
February 7, 2008 6:18 PM
 

AmandaMommyof1 said:

taking that little girl from the Bakers was so wrong. Anna even said she didn't want to leave. this was just wrong on so many levels. i feel from that little girl. i can't imagine growing up in one family and when your 8 years old, switching families...
February 8, 2008 10:41 AM
 

mamaw said:

I my opinion, this case should never have gone so far.  Anna should never have stayed with the Bakers for so long.  I was so relieved that justice was finally done for the parents.  
February 8, 2008 3:54 PM
 

Dover said:

The Hes turned Anna Mae over to the Bakers. That should have been, end of story. You don't give a child to another family to raise for years, then say, OH! we want her back. She should still be with the Bakers.
February 8, 2008 5:19 PM
 

DoneHadIt said:

I think that the Bakers should be allowed joint custody of the child or at least visitation rights. Now she basically have to morn her adoptive parents while getting used to the birthright parents....in china. I think the He's should of left her where she was til she was old enuff to determined where she wanted to be. And for that judge, he was paid off...no doubt.
February 9, 2008 10:28 PM
 

Jacobi131 said:

The  Hes thought they were getting temporary help. Anna should have been returned to her natural parents when she was  a toddler, but the Bakers have done everything they could to keep Anna from her parents. The transition would not have not been so hard if that have happened. The Hes have shown more of a Christian
attitude than the Bakers ever have &  they should be grateful that the Hes still include them at all. Since they have received deportation notice they are doing so voluntarily so that they can come back to the USA to live at a later date.
February 10, 2008 1:27 PM
 

mrbrk said:

Taking her from the Bakers was not wrong. What was wrong was the Bakers trying to permanently keep the child. Who cares how the Bakers feel.
February 10, 2008 4:45 PM
 

mrbrk said:

THE BAKERS ARE NOT HER ADOPTIVE PARENTS GET YOUR FACTS CORRECT. THE ADOPTION NEVER WENT THROUGH.
February 10, 2008 4:47 PM
 

East Memphis said:

"   AmandaMommyof1 said:
taking that little girl from the Bakers was so wrong. Anna even said she didn't want to leave. this was just wrong on so many levels. i feel from that little girl. i can't imagine growing up in one family and when your 8 years old, switching families..."
_________________________________

If you ever have to temporarily put your child in someone's care for the good of the child - I hope they decide to keep it - and they are personal friends of the judge and you watch your child become someone elses.  Then after eight years when "justice" is finally done - you get someone elses child back.  It is not really your child anymore.

The child was the loser here all because of someone wanting to steal someone elses child and a judge who was and still is  pure evil.

AmandaIQfo1
February 11, 2008 10:13 AM
 

East Memphis said:

"  DoneHadIt said:
And for that judge, he was paid off...no doubt.
February 9, 2008 10:28 PM  "
__________________________________________________________

No probably not - he was a sick power hungry evil man who was not a shadow of his father - who's reputation he relied on.  His courtroom was a social elbow rubbing joke.  Get one of his friends as a lawyer and Allisdratos would prosecute the case for you.  He was a sick man who will burn in #e!!

You are either the hammer or the nail.  Allisondratos determined which in the first few seconds of the trial.  He didn't need facts.
February 11, 2008 10:18 AM
 

Dover said:

mrbrk - The He's wanted someone to take Anna Mae, be her parents, give her all she needed. The Bakers did that. When the He's decided they wanted her back, they didn't care that she loved the Baker's and they were the only parents Anna Mae knew. This entire situation was wrong and so are you.
February 11, 2008 10:24 AM
 

East Memphis said:

"  Dover said:
mrbrk - The He's wanted someone to take Anna Mae, be her parents, give her all she needed. The Bakers did that. When the He's decided they wanted her back, they didn't care that she loved the Baker's and they were the only parents Anna Mae knew. This entire situation was wrong and so are you."
___________________________________________________

The He's temporarily gave their child to a family because they couldn't properly care for her.  The people decided to steal their child. It was evil, and the main loser is the child.

Injustice has been done twice.  The sick b@$tards who support the initial theft of the child are evil.  If you support the stealing of the child you are evil.

Now as to later - I am no King Solomon so I can't say she should have been returned or not.  I don't know what damage that did to her.  All I do know is it should never have happened.  The child should have been returned while she was still young.

EVIL - PURE EVIL by the bakers and the judge.  The child is the victim.
February 11, 2008 10:32 AM
 

Dover said:

Your posts come across as if you know and dislike the Bakers. You keep stating “the Bakers stole Anna Mae”. No, that is incorrect. The He’s couldn’t take care of the child so they gave Anna Mae to the Bakers. From all accounts, the Bakers loved Anna Mae and provided her a loving home until the He's decided they could care for her.  When a child is given up, for whatever reason, if they are in a good home,  the child learns to live and love what they know and they should be left alone.   Either you keep and care for your children OR  you give them up and allow someone else to raise them. Simply put, I’m not one for passing  children around as if they are a puppy.
February 11, 2008 11:16 AM
 

East Memphis said:

"You keep stating “the Bakers stole Anna Mae”. "
___________________________________________________

Weeeelllllll they did according to an impartial judge.  

And as to what the right thing to do at eight years old - I don't know.  I do know what was the right thing to do when she was still a toddler.  I hope the greed of her foster parents doesn't scar her for life.  It wasn't their child no matter what the dictorial former chancellor said.

And sweetie many parents have had to TEMPORARILY give up their children because they couldn't care for them.  I have a friend it happened to. I am sure it would be a very hard thing to do but many times it is in the best interest.  That doesn't give the foster family the right to take the child FOREVER.

Just to put you straight.
February 11, 2008 1:32 PM
 

Dover said:

East Memphis said:
Weeeelllllll they did according to an impartial judge.  

And as to what the right thing to do at eight years old - I don't know.  I do know what was the right thing to do when she was still a toddler.  I hope the greed of her foster parents doesn't scar her for life.  It wasn't their child no matter what the dictorial former chancellor said.

And sweetie many parents have had to TEMPORARILY give up their children because they couldn't care for them.  I have a friend it happened to. I am sure it would be a very hard thing to do but many times it is in the best interest.  That doesn't give the foster family the right to take the child FOREVER.

Just to put you straight.

-----------------------------------------------------------

First  I’m not your sweetie…lol so don’t take the liberty honey! Second,  you need to get a grip on your overly emotional distain for the Bakers. Obviously they were good enough that the He’s asked them to take Anna Mae.  I know families who have been in a bind and they did other things besides give their child/children to someone else.  There are countless stories about children being given up one day and later decide they want them back. Normally the courts grant the birth mother and father the custody which leaves the foster parents and child scared.

I don't like that the child was uprooted after so long, you don't like the Bakers. SO??? You obviously think your opinion is the only one that counts. Here’s a light bulb moment for you…it’s not.

Just to put you straight.


February 11, 2008 2:10 PM
 

East Memphis said:

Sweetie the impartial judge put you straight as to who's child it is.  

And sweetie as to the right thing to do after a lengthly chancellor imposed kidnapping - I would hate to have that decision.  This case had been in Lord Allisondratos court for how long??  This child will bear the scars of his Lordships willfull ignorance of the law for the rest of her life.

I will say this - if someones child has to be taken by some autocratic judge I hope it is yours.  You obviously support that.  I can't comprehend it.
February 11, 2008 2:45 PM
 

Dover said:

 East Memphis said:
Sweetie the impartial judge put you straight as to who's child it is.  

And sweetie as to the right thing to do after a lengthly chancellor imposed kidnapping - I would hate to have that decision.  This case had been in Lord Allisondratos court for how long??  This child will bear the scars of his Lordships willfull ignorance of the law for the rest of her life.

I will say this - if someones child has to be taken by some autocratic judge I hope it is yours.  You obviously support that.  I can't comprehend it.

----------------------

East Memphis - I'm certain you feel better after letting off a little more steam but you're harping on the same ole' over and over.  Please hope for something you can get.  I raised my child and even though there were tough times, I never once thought about giving her to someone else.  As for this case...you'll have to accept it. I would bet Anna Mae is dealing with the change better than you. Again, I'm not your sweetie. If you need a 'sweetie', I suggest you look into NetMatches or EHarmony.  
February 11, 2008 4:06 PM
 

Mrwhitey said:

Dang East Memphis , you got Dover calling you sweatie.I hope someday mnshadow53 will call me her lil honey bunches.
February 11, 2008 4:14 PM
 

Dover said:

Mrwhitey said:
Dang East Memphis , you got Dover calling you sweatie.I hope someday mnshadow53 will call me her lil honey bunches.

-------------------------------------------

Mrwhitey - LOL  @ 'sweatie'!!  I didn't use the word sweetie or sweatie. lol As for mnshadow calling you honey bunches...hope all you want but I think it's obvious you shouldn't hold your breath as you wait for that to happen. ;-)
February 11, 2008 4:28 PM
 

mnshadow53 said:

it'll be a cold day in HE11  LOLOL
February 11, 2008 4:32 PM
 

Dover said:

mnshadow53 said:
it'll be a cold day in HE11  LOLOL

----------------------------


LOL mnshadow...you're too quick to answer...maybe he WAS holding his breath!!!
February 11, 2008 4:35 PM
 

mnshadow53 said:

LOL Dover.....one could only hope!  :- )  
February 11, 2008 4:50 PM
 

Mrwhitey said:

LoL You guys are so mean to me LOL
February 11, 2008 6:18 PM
 

mnshadow53 said:

 This is a very sad situation and I am glad the decisions, regarding the welfare of the child, were not mine to make.  However, in my humble opinion, all the wrongs in the world cannot be corrected without doing what is best for the child.  I believe the Hes probably thought they were giving up custody of their daughter only temporarily.  I do not know the motives of the Bakers, however; after all those years it cannot be best to wrench the child away from the only parents she has ever known.  In fairness to the Hes, they also seem to have the child's interests at heart and are doing their best to make it a smooth transition.  Perhaps the Bakers could have made this best for all concerned if they would have allowed the Hes to see the child on a regular basis rather than to fight so hard to keep them away?  I don't know.  It's a horrible mess for sure!    
February 12, 2008 9:09 AM
 

East Memphis said:

"mnshadow53 said:
This is a very sad situation and I am glad the decisions, regarding the welfare of the child, were not mine to make."
_____________________________________________

At the beginning I could have made that decision.  After the court imposed kidnapping for eight years, I would have had a very hard time with it.  The child is the loser because of the ego and selfishness of the chancellor and the family.  I hope she recovers.
February 12, 2008 9:19 AM
 

outspoken said:

If the Hes were truely leaving the child with the Bakers just until they could get on their feet-where is the repayment to the Bakers for their expenses while they had the child?  When someone does you a favor-its only right that you repay any expenses invovled.  The Bakers clothed-fed and educated this child for a number of years.  Then there was the many many expenses incurred in just raising a child.  If the Hes  believe that they are financially able to care for Anna now-then the Bakers expenses should be repaid.  I seriously doubt they will see a dime.  I believe that the Bakers thought this was a permanent situation and invested their hearts and souls in this child.  I am sure the Bakers loved her as their own-then to have someone take that child from you-would cause untold pain. I would be more apt to believe that it was only a temporary situation if the Hes repaid the Bakers for their expenses.  It was very clear that the Bakres loved Anna and Anna loved them.  Now the Bakers are paying with their hearts over this situation-I am sure that Anna paid a price being taken from the Bakers.  The Hes will pay a price too.  The teenage years are very hard and with the turmoil that Anna has been through-her teen years could be even harder.  The Hes may get a good taste of the pain that they put the Bakers through when Anna gets older enough to ask some hard to answer questions.
February 14, 2008 6:22 PM
 

mnshadow53 said:

Why should the Hes repay the Bakers?  If this was supposed to be temporary, and the Bakers CHOSE to keep Anna, then they incurred these expenses of their own volition.  
February 15, 2008 8:34 AM
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