Anna Mae Through the Years

Two families fight for custody of a little girl, divided by culture and country.

Growing Pains: Two Familes, One Child

At just 9 years old, Anna Mae He has spent several years as the object of a drawn-out custody battle between her biological parents and the people who raised her.

From infancy, Anna Mae has been raised by Jerry and Louise Baker, a couple living in Memphis, Tenn., suburbs who have children of their own. The girl's birth parents say they gave their daughter to the Bakers temporarily, until they could get their financial situation in order. The Bakers say they understood they could keep Anna Mae until she was 18.

The Bakers' youngest daughter, Aimee (left) is only 13 months apart in age from Anna Mae. The two grew up as sisters and became close friends.

(Courtesy of the Baker family)