WayOutWisdoms
New Member
Bare with me, I cannot determine what to do?
Who to seek assistance from?
This is a very real issue, and crosses the threshold of civil liberties, freedoms, our children, and everything my fiancé and I hold sacred.
59 weeks ago, my fiancé of 16 years and I met a middle aged couple here in Orlando at an extended stay hotel, where we were temporarily residing.
Initially, they approached us, concerned for our financial well-being, and the well being our 3 biological children. We felt they were rather intrusive, and we were very offended. Not exactly friendly with them or too polite, regarding their intrusion to our family's situation, as it was none of their concern.
The conversation led to them professing they were super-wealthy. Again, we were not impressed, and furthered the initial insult. After all, we weren't begging or asking anyone for anything, nor would we.
Professing they could help us; stating they had money, good intentions and good hearts. They complimented our 3 children, and had stated they wanted to 'help us' provide the children with a solid future.
They informed us they had just won a substantial Federal lawsuit (in the billions) and showed us documention of certain assets, companies they professed to now own, and their net worth. (The total was rather intimidating).
In speaking with them, they offered to help our children get the best education, medical, and provide them with financial securities most people are never privileged to obtain in a lifetime.
We were not seeking money, or asking anything from them, nor have we.
They proposed we let our children stay in the larger suite here at the hotel with them, and their 10 yr old child, as a 'trial-run' and if everything worked out, they were offering to do a "friendly adoption", whereby, they would take care of all the financial responsibilities of our 3 children, education, medical, etc, and we'd still be active in the children's lives, and have full communication, and visitation.
A win/win?
At first, we were very skeptical, and suspicious of their motives, or true intentions?
*Certainly, we didn't want our children being abused physically, mentally, or sexually. Nor would we sell, trade, or give away our children under any circumstances, or for no amount of money!
We spoke with several people professing to know these 2 people, and many of them had been offered; good jobs, contracts, housing, and a huge host of benefit packages, and they confirmed they were onboard.
After feeling comforted by several others who assured us these people were genuine, sincere, and capable of providing all they'd promised, we elected to hold a family meeting.
The kids were excited, we were skeptical, but we elected to do a 'trial run' and make sure the kids were comfortable, and there was no 'funny business', while awaiting the promised paperwork, and lawyers to provide the legal documentation or 'temp custody' agreement.
We agreed the children could 'stay over' with them, and they instructed us not to worry about food, clothes, or providing anything for the kids, and asked that we sit tight and relax, while they got their lawyers to draw up 'temp custody' paperwork, and a contract detailing our agreement, in which they had proposed to supply within 2 weeks.
We spent hours just talking, and they would describe the lifestyle the children were going into, and how privileged the kids would be.They seemed very down to earth, despite the massive fortune they claimed to have or be obtaining, which reflected some rather arrogant behavior on their part.
They managed to be just likeable enough, and had the children and us sold that this was a blessing. They did a great job making everyone believe they were connected to people in government, and owned major corporations in a multitude of media, industry, even real estate, and a oil company.
This began on February 4th, 2007 and has become a nightmare!
We've never seen a lawyer. They profess there's been every kind of delay, excuse, transferals of blame imagineable, regarding unforeseen issues pending them getting their money, assets, etc.
As months went by, we; my fiancé(the children's mother) and I surrendered, sacrificed, sold, or let go of everything; being led to believe we were doing this for the love of our children. We now find ourselves in dire straits, almost enslaved to the "hope" they are real, and this wasn't some scam or con?
Basically, we were penniless, had nothing left to sacrifice, and scared these people were not as honest as everyone believed. We now had no easy way out or backdoor to escape!
Under this hypnotic belief they were sincere, genuine, and honest, we surrendered, sold, or lost everything less our truck, and the clothes we had.
We couldN'T afford to drive the truck, as the tag/registration had expired following their instruction; we no longer needed the vehicle, as they were saying; "we were going to surprise you, but we getting you a brand new truck, so you'll have reliable transportation, and in addition, I am going to give you a house in Mississippi, and a job starting at $75k."
Having since confronted them several times, leading to verbal wars, I was able to tongue tie them up, and extrepulate lies they've sewn. I have told them I want no part of this, and we want our kids back, or I was calling the law!
Studying their reaction(s); they got nervous or scared, but this would only solve one small aspect of a much greater problem: we had no means to now support ourselves, let alone the children.
For my verbal inquisitions; my fiancé and I were threatened; "you don't know who you're dealing with, we are untouchable, and if you fight us, we'll win."
The gentleman's wife followed by saying; "we'll make sure you never see your kids again."
I know everyone at this point would say; "Call the cops." But, we have no money. They told us to quit working. Every day they tell us their paperwork is done, their money is released, and we were all leaving. And, everything was going to be fine. To this very moment, they are still making these empty promises
It remains a stressful situation, no doubt.
Obviously, I cannot afford to go to jail, or act on my anger, as such heroic thoughts cross my mind. I love my children, and will be there for them.
Her husband psychologically detours me from calling the cops or pulling the plug, everytime. Again, he swears it's all real, there were just delays. Both he and his wife have added so many promises to their initial proposal, they've convinced us we'd be stupid "if" (they were real) to give up now, after all this time.
Promising everything from getting our family's teeth repaired by the nation's best dentist's, and replaced with veneers, to living a million dollar lifestyle.
They've sold us a dream! (or fairy tale?)
A dream which has costs us everything!
We don't know what to do?
I truly believe; everyone they approached fell into that like "Stockholm Syndrome" and we all began feeling sorry or sympathizing for these 2 people, as they swore people were treating them unfairly.
Then I learned that these 2 people have borrowed nearly $60,000 from one persons mother, and were manipulating her under the belief they were helping her adult son, and would pay her back upon the lawsuit being finalized.
There is another gentleman staying here now, who we've tried to get through to in confidence, only to be subjected to further scrutiny and alienation from our children.
I cannot begin to express my concerns for the mental well being of my children, let alone my fiancé, and I, as we are grown adults and cannot begin to comprehend how? or why these people would do this?
Recently, we learned; the only gentleman who is still onboard with these two, and is awaiting a job, has been providing the financial means, through his elderly parents to supply his rent, their rent, our rent (which is not something I ever wanted them paying) and supplying their phone, food, cigarettes, and all the needs that have been taking care of our children all this time, is in fact, this man's parents retirement funds. Of which, like the other gentleman's mother aforementioned, equals if not exceeds, another $60,000.
For the love of God, I want to persecute these people, stop them from manipulating others, and ensure they never violate someone's family, livelihood, civil liberties, or freedoms ever again!
Nobody whom I've entrusted knows what charges apply here, nor has a solution greater than us contacting the authorities, filing charges, and taking our kids back.
Clearly, that is good advice!
But we have no means, nor measure to pay rent, eat, drive, work, or provide.
We hoped there'd be a victim program, other than a homeless shelter which could jeopardize, or further abuse the mental state and well-being of our beloved children, and ourselves.
Ultimately, I'm now a deer in the headlights, unsure if that opinion will not be to the likeness of exchanging one cage (or bad situation) for one equal or worse!
My concern is these people getting away with this, if we cannot prove what they've done, and we may very likely lose our children to the system. A system, that aside from a traffic ticket, I have respected, and avoided my entire life, as has my fiancé.
I have journal documentations time stamped, signed, and dated, from the beginning of this, and it haunts me to see how our perspective has changed; from believing this was a blessing, into it becoming a curse.
Are the journals even credible evidence?
We have several people who were awaiting jobs (some of which were the very people who convinced us these people were sincere, genuine, and for real) now lining up behind me, and my fiancé stating; "We will stand in court with you, these people need to pay for what they've cost everyone."
In closing, I am not questioning my faith in prevailing in proving these people enslaved us, I am however truly afraid my children may not understand this, and might require psychological counseling, we cannot afford.
It's much like a rape victim scared to report it, due to the humility, whilst knowing they cannot allow someone else to be violated in such a way!
The problem is we know of no state or local agency to contact?
What charges apply?
Or better still, if we'll even come out of this with our family intact?
We are welcoming any and/or all suggestions. I've been studying different possible crimes this may fit, and "Human Trafficking" seems to apply, but I am not sure how to pursue it, without risking "a Double Jeopardy" type situation.
May God Bless You and Yours,
Art M. & Family
Who to seek assistance from?
This is a very real issue, and crosses the threshold of civil liberties, freedoms, our children, and everything my fiancé and I hold sacred.
59 weeks ago, my fiancé of 16 years and I met a middle aged couple here in Orlando at an extended stay hotel, where we were temporarily residing.
Initially, they approached us, concerned for our financial well-being, and the well being our 3 biological children. We felt they were rather intrusive, and we were very offended. Not exactly friendly with them or too polite, regarding their intrusion to our family's situation, as it was none of their concern.
The conversation led to them professing they were super-wealthy. Again, we were not impressed, and furthered the initial insult. After all, we weren't begging or asking anyone for anything, nor would we.
Professing they could help us; stating they had money, good intentions and good hearts. They complimented our 3 children, and had stated they wanted to 'help us' provide the children with a solid future.
They informed us they had just won a substantial Federal lawsuit (in the billions) and showed us documention of certain assets, companies they professed to now own, and their net worth. (The total was rather intimidating).
In speaking with them, they offered to help our children get the best education, medical, and provide them with financial securities most people are never privileged to obtain in a lifetime.
We were not seeking money, or asking anything from them, nor have we.
They proposed we let our children stay in the larger suite here at the hotel with them, and their 10 yr old child, as a 'trial-run' and if everything worked out, they were offering to do a "friendly adoption", whereby, they would take care of all the financial responsibilities of our 3 children, education, medical, etc, and we'd still be active in the children's lives, and have full communication, and visitation.
A win/win?
At first, we were very skeptical, and suspicious of their motives, or true intentions?
*Certainly, we didn't want our children being abused physically, mentally, or sexually. Nor would we sell, trade, or give away our children under any circumstances, or for no amount of money!
We spoke with several people professing to know these 2 people, and many of them had been offered; good jobs, contracts, housing, and a huge host of benefit packages, and they confirmed they were onboard.
After feeling comforted by several others who assured us these people were genuine, sincere, and capable of providing all they'd promised, we elected to hold a family meeting.
The kids were excited, we were skeptical, but we elected to do a 'trial run' and make sure the kids were comfortable, and there was no 'funny business', while awaiting the promised paperwork, and lawyers to provide the legal documentation or 'temp custody' agreement.
We agreed the children could 'stay over' with them, and they instructed us not to worry about food, clothes, or providing anything for the kids, and asked that we sit tight and relax, while they got their lawyers to draw up 'temp custody' paperwork, and a contract detailing our agreement, in which they had proposed to supply within 2 weeks.
We spent hours just talking, and they would describe the lifestyle the children were going into, and how privileged the kids would be.They seemed very down to earth, despite the massive fortune they claimed to have or be obtaining, which reflected some rather arrogant behavior on their part.
They managed to be just likeable enough, and had the children and us sold that this was a blessing. They did a great job making everyone believe they were connected to people in government, and owned major corporations in a multitude of media, industry, even real estate, and a oil company.
This began on February 4th, 2007 and has become a nightmare!
We've never seen a lawyer. They profess there's been every kind of delay, excuse, transferals of blame imagineable, regarding unforeseen issues pending them getting their money, assets, etc.
As months went by, we; my fiancé(the children's mother) and I surrendered, sacrificed, sold, or let go of everything; being led to believe we were doing this for the love of our children. We now find ourselves in dire straits, almost enslaved to the "hope" they are real, and this wasn't some scam or con?
Basically, we were penniless, had nothing left to sacrifice, and scared these people were not as honest as everyone believed. We now had no easy way out or backdoor to escape!
Under this hypnotic belief they were sincere, genuine, and honest, we surrendered, sold, or lost everything less our truck, and the clothes we had.
We couldN'T afford to drive the truck, as the tag/registration had expired following their instruction; we no longer needed the vehicle, as they were saying; "we were going to surprise you, but we getting you a brand new truck, so you'll have reliable transportation, and in addition, I am going to give you a house in Mississippi, and a job starting at $75k."
Having since confronted them several times, leading to verbal wars, I was able to tongue tie them up, and extrepulate lies they've sewn. I have told them I want no part of this, and we want our kids back, or I was calling the law!
Studying their reaction(s); they got nervous or scared, but this would only solve one small aspect of a much greater problem: we had no means to now support ourselves, let alone the children.
For my verbal inquisitions; my fiancé and I were threatened; "you don't know who you're dealing with, we are untouchable, and if you fight us, we'll win."
The gentleman's wife followed by saying; "we'll make sure you never see your kids again."
I know everyone at this point would say; "Call the cops." But, we have no money. They told us to quit working. Every day they tell us their paperwork is done, their money is released, and we were all leaving. And, everything was going to be fine. To this very moment, they are still making these empty promises
It remains a stressful situation, no doubt.
Obviously, I cannot afford to go to jail, or act on my anger, as such heroic thoughts cross my mind. I love my children, and will be there for them.
Her husband psychologically detours me from calling the cops or pulling the plug, everytime. Again, he swears it's all real, there were just delays. Both he and his wife have added so many promises to their initial proposal, they've convinced us we'd be stupid "if" (they were real) to give up now, after all this time.
Promising everything from getting our family's teeth repaired by the nation's best dentist's, and replaced with veneers, to living a million dollar lifestyle.
They've sold us a dream! (or fairy tale?)
A dream which has costs us everything!
We don't know what to do?
I truly believe; everyone they approached fell into that like "Stockholm Syndrome" and we all began feeling sorry or sympathizing for these 2 people, as they swore people were treating them unfairly.
Then I learned that these 2 people have borrowed nearly $60,000 from one persons mother, and were manipulating her under the belief they were helping her adult son, and would pay her back upon the lawsuit being finalized.
There is another gentleman staying here now, who we've tried to get through to in confidence, only to be subjected to further scrutiny and alienation from our children.
I cannot begin to express my concerns for the mental well being of my children, let alone my fiancé, and I, as we are grown adults and cannot begin to comprehend how? or why these people would do this?
Recently, we learned; the only gentleman who is still onboard with these two, and is awaiting a job, has been providing the financial means, through his elderly parents to supply his rent, their rent, our rent (which is not something I ever wanted them paying) and supplying their phone, food, cigarettes, and all the needs that have been taking care of our children all this time, is in fact, this man's parents retirement funds. Of which, like the other gentleman's mother aforementioned, equals if not exceeds, another $60,000.
For the love of God, I want to persecute these people, stop them from manipulating others, and ensure they never violate someone's family, livelihood, civil liberties, or freedoms ever again!
Nobody whom I've entrusted knows what charges apply here, nor has a solution greater than us contacting the authorities, filing charges, and taking our kids back.
Clearly, that is good advice!
But we have no means, nor measure to pay rent, eat, drive, work, or provide.
We hoped there'd be a victim program, other than a homeless shelter which could jeopardize, or further abuse the mental state and well-being of our beloved children, and ourselves.
Ultimately, I'm now a deer in the headlights, unsure if that opinion will not be to the likeness of exchanging one cage (or bad situation) for one equal or worse!
My concern is these people getting away with this, if we cannot prove what they've done, and we may very likely lose our children to the system. A system, that aside from a traffic ticket, I have respected, and avoided my entire life, as has my fiancé.
I have journal documentations time stamped, signed, and dated, from the beginning of this, and it haunts me to see how our perspective has changed; from believing this was a blessing, into it becoming a curse.
Are the journals even credible evidence?
We have several people who were awaiting jobs (some of which were the very people who convinced us these people were sincere, genuine, and for real) now lining up behind me, and my fiancé stating; "We will stand in court with you, these people need to pay for what they've cost everyone."
In closing, I am not questioning my faith in prevailing in proving these people enslaved us, I am however truly afraid my children may not understand this, and might require psychological counseling, we cannot afford.
It's much like a rape victim scared to report it, due to the humility, whilst knowing they cannot allow someone else to be violated in such a way!
The problem is we know of no state or local agency to contact?
What charges apply?
Or better still, if we'll even come out of this with our family intact?
We are welcoming any and/or all suggestions. I've been studying different possible crimes this may fit, and "Human Trafficking" seems to apply, but I am not sure how to pursue it, without risking "a Double Jeopardy" type situation.
May God Bless You and Yours,
Art M. & Family