In 1926, a woman named Georgia Tann began running the Memphis branch of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Soon, Georgia began selling babies and children on the black market, often out of state. And as demand for children grew, she began kidnapping infants and even older children. While she is dubiously credited with normalizing adoption at a time that it was stigmatized, her real legacy is creating closed adoptions. She also left a legacy of horrific physical, emotional and sexual abuse of the children in her care. Written, hosted and produced by Erica KelleyOriginal Graphic Art by Coley HornerOriginal Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma RadioResearched by Erica Kelley, Haley Gray Edited by Chaes GrayCase Suggestion by: Mallory KempSuggested Reading: The Baby Thief by Barbara RaymondSources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/95-georgia-tann-pedophile-kidnapper-inventor-of-modern-adoptionMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com@southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)Today’s Sponsors:StoryWorth.com/southernfriedPurple.com/southernfriedBetterHelp.com/southernIf you are suffering with abuse in quarantine, here are resources for different countries. Please ask for help: US National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233UK Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247Australia Rape & Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-737-732Canada: http://thelifelinecanada.ca./help/call/If you are having suicidal thoughts during this unprecedented time, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Please call the US National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255For resources in other countries: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html