MONROVIA – The Liberian government has permanently banned the American for African Adoptions (AFAA) from operating within the country following serious allegations of rape and child endangerment involving 30 children at its orphanage.
In a letter dated February 19, 2024, addressed to AFAA Country Director Oretha James, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection Gbene Horace-Kollie announced the decision, citing findings from a Liberia National Police investigation and legal opinions from the Ministry of Justice.
The government had previously suspended AFAA in December 2023 while authorities investigated allegations of abuse at its facility, Cradle of Hope. After completing the probe, police recommended the prosecution of several AFAA officials, including Elizabeth Gotta, Philip Garmai Galima, and Felecia Brooks. The Ministry of Justice later indicted additional officials, including James and Cheryl Carter-Schofts.
As a result, the government determined that AFAA’s continued operation in Liberia posed a risk to child welfare. The ministry also imposed a permanent ban on Carter-Schofts, prohibiting her from engaging in any adoption, childcare, or orphanage-related activities in the country, except in the event of acquittal by the courts. A similar restriction was placed on James, Gotta, Galima, Brooks, and others pending the outcome of their legal proceedings.
Additionally, the ministry announced that orphans whose pre-adoptive parents had completed the necessary home study process would be allowed to finalize their adoption through private legal channels. Meanwhile, children without pre-adoptive parents will either be reunited with their biological families or placed in government safe homes.
