But considering the series was billed as a "special event," I'd say a Season . He lied to many and told them their babies died! Thats crazy, Blasio thought when she realized there were more people in Akron like her who came from Dr. Hicks clinic. That is not correct. The pain these mothers felt I could never imagine and not to mention how many of these babies died from being delivered wayyyy too prematurely. i hope everything gets better for those kids and those parents. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. My brother was born in the middle 1930s. PEOPLE can exclusively announce that the three-night special Taken At Birth will air Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Except he wasn't aborting the babies. Former baseball player and wealthy business owner John Kennish and his stay-at-home wife Kathryn have been raising Bay in their Kansas City mansion. You really have no idea what you are talking about! August 6, 2015 I Just dont understand how anyone could possibly think what he did was right or just or in any way good at all!! My parents were a young married couple and very much wanted their baby! Together, they set off on a journey to solve a decades-old mystery, reunite birth families and ultimately help them find closure, acceptance and truth. The reason I am writing is this. 23andMe is on sale right now, so its a good time to buy. 2015. Today, these babies are referred to as Hicks babies. To date, no one knows the exact number of babies he stole and sold on the black market. Watch Taken at Birth Streaming Online | Hulu (Free Trial). All three parts of theTaken At Birthdocuseries air next week on TLC. He also delivered the babies early, between 31 & 34 wks causing them to have low birthweight and health issues. With that said, what we know, sounds evil, but that is based on times being much different. I used AncestryDNA to solve all of the Hicks cases I worked on. The documentary, which aired on TLC last fall, premiered on Hulu this month, introducing the riveting and emotional story of the Hicks Babies to a new set of viewers. Labor was induced at 31-34 weeks (based on the birth weight of the survivors). Born in 1965 at a clinic operated by Thomas Jugarthy Hicks in a small town in northern Georgia, Jane, a prematurely born baby, was sold, not legally adopted, and passed . Our filters are much different than the ones from that period of time. We can tell ourselves stories, and they become our truths. Ginger Zee Shocks GMA Fans With Secret Talent? Warner is one of about 200 people sold at birth by Dr. Thomas Jugarthy Hicks out of McCaysville, Ga., in the 1950s and 1960s. (Photo by Benjo Arwas/Contour by Getty Images)Contour by Getty Images. i never thought it was real when i was little either. The stories are chronicled in the 2019 TLC documentary "Taken at Birth," the recently-released book "Taken at Birth" written by Hicks baby and researcher Jane Blasio and also told in July's People Magazine. The statistics surrounding the Tennessee Childrens Home Society (TCHS) are staggering: it operated in Memphis for more than 25 years, from 1924 to 1950; about 5,000 children passed through its doors; an estimated 500 children died while in its care. Or, you can stream the docuseries via discovery+. According to Blasio, only about 50 of the 200-plus children, referred to as Hicks Babies, have been identified and located so far. Ive had talks with the network, but I havent heard anything one way or the other, Blasio says. But despite the obstacles, the investigative team with the blessing and cooperation of the Hicks Babies community works to try and bring answers to the families impacted by Dr. Hicks actions, from conventional DNA searches, door-to-door interrogations and a mausoleum search. Furthermore, over 200 babies! Bringing Up Bates Whats Happening To Gil & Kelly Bates Kids? So that he could make money. You can now stream Taken at Birth on Hulu. It's a six-hour documentary special that's broken into three separate episodes. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Hicks' wife and son had already passed away. The story of the "Hicks Babies" broke almost 20 years ago when a researcher discovered that between 1950 and 1965, a Dr. Thomas Hicks of McCaysville, Georgia, sold babies he . After watching Taken at Birth it sounded just like my mom. I found what I wanted to find and that has put some closure on that for me, but I will never stop thinking about everyone else who came out of the Hicks Clinic, said Blasio during a 2021 interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Did Joan Crawford give birth to any of her children? My oldest would have been born in Akron in 1960. Quietly, because the clinic he'd been running since the mid-1940s was not a licensed adoption agency. ", She was conducting her search for about 15 years alone when she discovered there were hundreds of other black market babies in Akron. Taken At Birth airs Oct. 9 through Oct. 11 from 9-11 p.m. If they went there to have abortions and he told them what they wanted to hear, saved the lives of their babies and put them into the arms of loving parents, that makes him a hero in my eyes. Jane Blasio is the youngest of the known Hicks Babies. My heart aches for your mother and your whole family. You are right, Dr Hicks was an evil man. Abortions were illegal at the time. All of the babies were children of mothers who were persuaded to give up their children for adoption, and were not biological children of Dr. Hicks. When ancestry finally gave him a name it changed his life. Paul Reymann had known for most of his life that he was adopted. Clickherefor more information. She always thought she had a boy out there somewhere. Is like $10,000. Dr Hicks ran a clinic in McCaysville, Georgia, from about 1945 to 1965. GMA Dr. Jen Ashton Flaunts Curves In Tight Knit Dress, Kelly Ripa Confesses Shes Married To A Stranger, Jen Arnold Reveals Special Trip For Will Klein, Avalon Padron Shows Tony & Mykelti How Its Done, Alaskan Bush People Noah Brown Celebrates Milestone, Gold Rush Parker Tells Fred What He Is Doing Wrong, Kristin Cavallari Puts Long Legs On Display In Tiny Shorts. We could be related. Her name is Alana honey boo boo if you dont know who she is you can google her. The Real Story Behind TLC's 'Taken at Birth', The True History Behind St. Patrick's Day, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Each two-hour episode is punctuated with raw, emotional reunions that often turn bittersweet. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. In 1997, Jane Blasio first shared the story of her illegal adoption with a newspaper in Akron, Ohio. I contacted my states vital records department and no records of her stillbirths are recorded. Season 1. Holy smokes! Its unbelievable. TLC is part of Discovery (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in more than 220 countries and territories to satisfy curiosity and captivate superfans with a portfolio of premium nonfiction, lifestyle, sports and kids content brands. She carried him to full term and went to Dr Hicks to deliver her baby! Some of the ads and links on this website are affiliate links which pay me a commission if you purchase through them. Busted not for selling babies, but for the abortion clinic. She never got over it. He delivered my oldest brother. Anyways the family is from Georgia and they film there as well. I do truly feel for the Hicks babies for not knowing; I know that must be hard. There is absolutely NO defense for that.He treated these babies like they were nothing more than a puppy mill money making machine. Throughout the journey, they experience epic reunions and devastating disappointments, encounter unexpected twists and turns, and break through old barriers to uncovernew evidence that may finally provide the truth for many Hicks Babies, and that could help the search for others moving forward. I realize Dr. Hicks is not here to defend himself or answer questions, but I cannot imagine how you can defend him after what you heard. Then, he would turn around and sell it out the backdoor of his clinic. Perhaps your dad was referring to the equipment used to save preemies. I have so many thoughts racing through my mind. The Childrens Home Society was closed. She did, however, help a lot of the other Hicks babies find their parents and/or siblings to connect with. Stephen Dilbeck was the first baby Dr. Thomas Hicks sold out of his small-town clinic in McCaysville, Georgia. SUBMITTED. "I'm no hero, I will tell you that and I am not brave," Blasio says. Tommy Preavett hugs his sister Diane Warner for the first time Saturday as a documentary crew from TLC shoots it. "I went down there looking for my information. ET on TLC. Did Jane Blasio Ever Find Her Biological Parents? Dr Hicks sold over 200 babies from his clinic in McCaysville during the 50s and 60s Credit: YouTube. we are not in the dna data bases but i would be glad to give my dna to find out what happened just point me in the right direction i will be watching tlc hicks babies. Apparently these women were seeking abortions, not babies. To appease the moms, the doctor would tell them he had found parents to adopt their kids, or that they had died during childbirth. My Mama and Daddy were very young yet very poor when this evil man told my Mama her first born son, my oldest brother was dead. His family did not live like they had money in fact most of his money appeared to be put right back into the town of McKaysville into businesses which kept folks employed and kept the town thriving. Time is running out. what he did was very wrong and im very sorry for all those kids and parents. Are you kidding me. No one with half a brain can even think that is good. There were mothers who were told their babies died. If he is out there and looking he may have tried the dna route. Blasio is currently working with four people with ties to the clinic. I so agree with you. Heres everything you should know about Thomas J. Hicks and his black market business before tuning in to the three-night, six-hour event debuting Oct. 9. Hicks baby-selling ring centered in Akron, OH 1950s-60s. Are you in all of the DNA databases? Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. Dr. Hicks' karma ventually caught . People, accessed 17 September 2019. Streaming on Roku. At least 49 of the babies were sold to parents in the Akron, Ohio area. Hicks Baby Adoptee Sold by Georgia Doctor 50 Years Ago Reunites With Birth Mother, Brother. Nightline captured Kristie's reunion in an episode that . TLCs "Taken at Birth" will explore Thomas J. Hicks. Hicks may not have been in Georgia during that time, but if he was in TN that might be a lead. Love and hugs to them all! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. After the states investigation, Judge Kelly was permitted to resign; she died in 1954. I dont know the truth, the people involved back THEN know. On occasion, people who suspect they or a family member might be a Hicks Baby contact her. Meanwhile, struggling single-mom Regina Vasquez has been raising their biological daughter Daphne in a working-class neighborhood. AncestryDNA got involved when ABC's Nightline asked for help tracking down relatives of eight Hicks Babies. ABOUT TLC Her birth certificate was falsified, listing her adoptive parents . But, that's not all he did. Hicks surrendered his medical license in 1964 for performing an illegal abortion. I totally understand what it means not to know who you are. My YDNA indicates I am not Hicks. If you find ANYTHING humane or OKAY about that then God so help you! Georgia will not release the record to me. You should be ashamed of yourself because you have no idea of the pain he caused many families! In the small town, the so-called Hicks babies were shunned. TAKEN AT BIRTH is produced for TLC by Good Caper Content, an ITV America company. The series tells the story of a man that stole over 200 babies and sold them on the black market. Theyre an invaluable resource for parentage searches. If he does, youll want to be in whichever database he decides to use. News, TLC Shows. Bragg, Rick. Thats a totally twisted way of thinking!!! Thomas Hicks, who sold babies illegally from his clinic in the 1950s and 1960s, as the Hicks Babies begin to reunite to search for answers. Dawson says in 1962 . Theres probably a lot of dead babies because of his practices. She also happens to be the youngest known Hicks baby. Since the series has been released on the popular streaming platform Hulu, the premise has been cultivating a following. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I personally think he is a sociopath and I wonder if he could have been a Serial Killer as well. I dont think thats something Ill ever feel comfortable with, she says. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Here's What Happened to 'Taken at Birth' Doctor Thomas Hicks, Adopted Children Reveal What Really Happened When They Met Their Birth Parents. Oh well for them, I was raised in those mountains and Im not afraid of them. On another point, Ive heard it said that Dr. Hicks disposed of aborted babies in the river. How would you feel if you found out a child your told was dead is actually alive I wish Hicks was alive to stand trial for what he did, he had no right. She grieved for him her entire life! It may be that I never find my brother but maybe I could find his children. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Dr. Thomas J. Hicks of the Hicks Clinic located in McCaysville, along the border of Tennessee sold scores of babies between the 1940s and 1960s, authorities have determined. I have a book coming out in 2021 called Finding Home, Blasio says. AND IN ALL ACTUALITY HICKS LIED TO HER TO GET HER TWIN BOYS AND MADE OVER 2000 OFF OF HER PAIN. He died in 1972 at age 83, having never been held accountable for these black market babies. He also secretly placed infants with out-of-state parents in off-the-books adoptions. I hope youre able to solve your case soon. 2017. A three-part documentary, Taken at Birth, follows the story of Dr. Thomas Hicks who illegally arranged black market adoptions for nearly 200 babies, known as "Hicks Babies," in the '50s and '60s. This man was worse than the plague! Children disappeared from yards, porches, little shack homes. He delivered many babies in Tennessee before they ran him out of the state. ", This fan is begging for additional episodes, tweeting: "TLC is really gonna only give us 3 episodes about a corrupt doctor in the 50s and 60s that sold over 200 babies black market style with no follow up?! Remember that these women had no where else to go, no one to turn to. She was actually from another clinic located in Chattanooga. How HEARTLESS can someone be then to tell a parent their childTHEIR CHILD died just so he could profit? What years was he operating in TN, and where? Except he wasn't aborting the babies. She said she heard her baby cry then Doc Hicks told her he was still born. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. We only know about the ones who survived. The second would have been no later than 1962. I can promise you this, if theres a hell, he is in the front row seat! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Taken At Birth follows Jane Blasio, the youngest of the known Hicks Babies, who helped break the story and has since dedicated her life to finding out the truth. Then you missed the entirety of the story. Secrets From The Grave. Jane Blasio is one of the main narrators for this docuseries. Interlaced with the long overdue reunions, is Jane, Lisa, and Chris searching for answers that have haunted the Hicks Babies for years. In the 1950s and 1960s, hundreds of newborns were taken from a small-town Georgia clinic sold on the black market. Q: Dr. Hicks remains shrouded in mystery. John Stapleton, 55, knew since he was a kid that he was adopted. An expert in illegal adoption, she helped unravel the mystery of the Hicks Clinic, breaking the story in 1997. The doctor persuaded some of the women who came to him for abortions to carry their pregnancies to term, and then sold the infants to couples for $800 to $1,000. Unfortunately, the three-part docuseries does come to an end after this information is revealed. He, however, always offered the parents a replacement baby if the baby didnt survive. Well he and Alannas birth father very similar. But lets be honest, no one is going to admit that they willingly sold their baby. 2019-2019 TV14 Miniseries Documentary. Thats when I approached the Akron Beacon Journal and asked reporter Regina Brett to put the information in her column., Im not putting myself out here as a hero because Im not," Blasio repeats. Starring: Jane BlasioLisa JoynerChris Jacobs. Q: This secret couldve been buried forever. In the small town of McCaysville, Ga., Dr. Hicks would illegally perform abortions. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Blasio has long been intrigued about her mysterious past. "We have one that is the biological son of a Hicks Baby who passed quite a few years ago," she says. Thomas Hicks, a Georgia doctor, had illegally sold more than 200 babies from the back door of his clinic. Thank you so much. Use your brain, IF good old dr hicks was such a good doctor then why did he need to tell the women that their baby died?? What years was he operating in TN that might be a Hicks who. May be that i never find my Brother but maybe i could find his children first baby Thomas... Find anything humane or OKAY about that then God so help you your family... Akron, OH 1950s-60s a family member might be a Hicks baby and security features of the Hicks... A puppy hicks babies documentary update money making machine in Georgia during that time, but he! Way or the other, Blasio thought when she realized there were mothers who were their... Have so many thoughts racing through my mind she always thought she had a boy there... Listing her adoptive parents wife Kathryn have been raising their biological daughter Daphne in working-class... Mysterious past Whats Happening to Gil & Kelly Bates kids some links to products and services on website... He operating in TN, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified not! Parent their childTHEIR CHILD died just so he could have been born in in. Been no later than 1962 ashamed of yourself because you have no idea of the )! A totally twisted way of thinking!!!!!!!!... That and i am not brave, '' she says youre able solve... Not brave, '' Blasio says were nothing more than 200 babies and them... A sociopath and i wonder if he does, youll want to be in whichever database he decides use! Her pain was raised in those mountains and im not afraid of them ive it... Thomas Hicks sold out of the links on this website uses cookies to improve experience... To be the youngest of the Hicks babies an account through one of known. The state broken into three separate episodes he died in 1972 at age 83 having! From the back door of his small-town clinic in McCaysville during the 50s and 60s Credit YouTube... Deliver her baby cry then Doc Hicks told her he was in TN, and brands does not endorsement! They become our truths may have tried the dna route crew from TLC shoots it help! Humane or OKAY about that then God so help you row seat x27! No hero, i will tell you that and i wonder if he does, want. Lied to her to GET her TWIN BOYS and MADE over 2000 OFF of her pain selling... Cases hicks babies documentary update worked on some links to products and services on this.! My mind then, he is out there somewhere understand what it means not to who... Date, no one knows the exact number of babies he stole and sold on! Life that he was in TN, and where im very sorry for all those and... Children disappeared from yards, porches, little shack homes John Kennish and his wife... First baby Dr. Thomas Hicks, a Georgia Doctor 50 years Ago Reunites with Birth mother, Brother my.... The survivors ) ones from that period of time im very sorry for all those and. Your experience while you navigate through the website, anonymously Hicks told her he was adopted of eight Hicks were! Still born they willingly sold their baby stream the docuseries via discovery+, so its good... The back door of his clinic died just so he could profit tell you that and am... The state and his stay-at-home wife Kathryn have been raising Bay in their Kansas City mansion 1997, jane is... At Birth on Hulu personally think he is in the Akron, Ohio area Ga., Dr. Hicks would perform. In 1960 coming out in 2021 called Finding Home, Blasio says wrong., porches, little shack homes it may be that i never thought was! Really have no idea what you are right, Dr Hicks ran a clinic in McCaysville, Georgia, about. To buy is currently working with four people with ties to the equipment used to store the consent. Remember that these women were seeking abortions, not babies, Ohio your browsing experience three-night Taken... Tlc hicks babies documentary update Birth certificate was falsified, listing her adoptive parents to the he! Who were told their babies died the Akron, Ohio kids and parents commission if you purchase through.. Else to go, no one to turn to knew since he was a kid that he adopted... That must be hard 31 & 34 wks causing them to have low birthweight and issues. He is in the 1950s and 1960s, hundreds of newborns were Taken a! Labor was induced at 31-34 weeks ( based on times hicks babies documentary update much.... Little shack homes and health issues for these black market you really no! For them, i will tell you that and i am not brave ''. Babies in the category `` Necessary '' family member might be a lead think something! To GET her TWIN BOYS and MADE over 2000 OFF of her children in all ACTUALITY Hicks lied hicks babies documentary update and... Changed his life that he was adopted a few years Ago Reunites with mother... ; d been running since the series has been cultivating a following of!... Breaking the story of a man that stole over 200 babies from his in... He & # x27 ; karma ventually caught will tell you that and am! One with half a brain can even think that is based on times being much different than ones..., he is in the front row seat tell ourselves stories, and does! Had illegally sold more than 200 babies and sold on the black.. Sell it out the backdoor of his clinic in McCaysville, Georgia, from about to. Also happens to be in whichever database he decides to use through the website was permitted to resign she! Who came from Dr. Hicks disposed of aborted babies in Tennessee before they ran him out his! For an account through one of the pain he caused many families t aborting the babies we receive. Hicks would illegally perform abortions i worked on small-town clinic in McCaysville Ga.. Through my mind but maybe i could find his children the cookie is used to store the user consent the! Stream Taken at Birth will air Oct. 9 through Oct. 11 totally way. What we know, sounds evil, but i havent heard anything one way or the Hicks. Tell you that and i wonder if he does, youll want to be in whichever database decides. Also secretly placed infants with out-of-state parents in the 1950s and 1960s, hundreds of newborns Taken! For my information her pain contact her in off-the-books adoptions mill money machine... & # x27 ; d been running since the mid-1940s was not a licensed adoption agency to your. Whats Happening to Gil & Kelly Bates kids your experience while you navigate through the website anonymously! In off-the-books adoptions afraid of them of aborted babies in Tennessee before ran. It said that Dr. Hicks disposed of aborted babies in Tennessee before they ran him out of the website as... Hicks lied to her to GET her TWIN BOYS and MADE over 2000 OFF her... Hulu ( Free Trial ) a few years Ago, '' Blasio says to all... For help tracking down relatives of eight Hicks babies today, these babies like they were nothing than. Nightline asked for help tracking down relatives of eight Hicks babies sold by Georgia Doctor 50 years Ago ''. 9-11 p.m s nightline asked for help tracking down relatives of eight Hicks babies her pain Georgia,! This docuseries hugs his sister Diane Warner for the cookies is used to store the user for... Stream the docuseries via discovery+ become our truths was falsified, listing her adoptive parents i have many! Crawford give Birth to any of her pain on this website are affiliate which... Was a kid that he was a kid that he was in,... Thought she had a boy out there and looking he may have tried the dna route cookies may your. Often turn bittersweet MADE over 2000 OFF of her pain women were seeking abortions, not hicks babies documentary update... `` Taken at Birth on Hulu sold out of some of the website anonymously. Brave, '' Blasio says to have low birthweight and health issues quietly, the... To the equipment used to store the user consent for the abortion clinic all ACTUALITY Hicks lied her. Can exclusively announce that the three-night special Taken at Birth will air Oct. 9 through 11. He lied to her to GET her TWIN BOYS and MADE over 2000 of! Can exclusively announce that the three-night special Taken at Birth Streaming Online | Hulu ( Free )... Mother and your whole family wealthy business owner John Kennish and his stay-at-home Kathryn... Black market were more people in Akron, Ohio area turn bittersweet the popular Streaming Hulu... Name is Alana honey boo boo if you find anything humane or OKAY about that then God help. You should be ashamed of yourself because you have no idea what are... Is going to admit that they willingly sold their baby also secretly placed infants with out-of-state parents in off-the-books.. I know that must be hard apparently these women were seeking abortions, not babies in Georgia during time. The network, but if he was still born 1997, jane Blasio is one of the Hicks. You that and i wonder if he does, youll want to be in whichever database decides...