Anna's Biological Parents Speak Out

May 4, 2007 — -- The following is a response from Jack and Casey He -- Anna Mae's biological parents -- to the court filing by the Bakers.

First of all, my wife and I want to be grateful and respectful to Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Curtis Person for appointing two good professionals to aid the transition.

Just a few days before the transition began, my wife and I requested that we prefer one-on-one visit with our daughter without the Bakers being present, because we trust that the court-appointed psychologist and Guardian Ad Litem would be competent enough to supervise all our visits.

In my opinion, without the Bakers being present, each visit would also be more productive for parent-child bonding. At first, the Bakers seemed to have no objection. But after the initial visits, Mrs. Baker requested to be present, saying that her presence would help to make the transition as easy as possible for Anna Mae. The Bakers said they would cooperate with Judge Person to facilitate the transition of AMH to her parents and siblings. So their request for being present was permitted by the two professionals.

A few days ago, we were surprised to learn from ABC News that the Bakers have been keeping a detailed journal of each visit. Their recent journal reminds us of their previous journal being kept between June 5, 1999 and June 20, 2001, when they filed their petition to Shelby County Chancery Court Judge D.J. Alissandratos to terminate our parental rights and to adopt our child. Yesterday we were more surprised to learn, also from ABC news, that the Bakes filed their court documents, trying to stop the transition. Just two months ago they told us they would cooperate to help us with the transition.

In my opinion, if the Bakers really love AMH, they would be sensitive and kind enough to file their journal entry in court, requesting that it be sealed to news media. Therefore, our reaction to their journal is that we are surprised and disappointed. Very soon the public will know some of the journal entries contradict the truth. We want to be respectful to the Court by not discussing the recent visits with Anna Mae. Furthermore, our 8-year-old child does not need any media attention to her privacy.