How Could You? Hall of Shame-Travis Christian Smiegel case

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From New York, the 1987 death of 6-year-old Elizabeth “Lisa” Steinberg was one of the most notorious child abuse cases. Pound Pup Legacy has an extensive file here.

A bizarre twist in a current trial of two cops accused of rape has brought another aspect of this case to light. A doctor testifying for the defense has admitted to being part of the illegal adoption of a baby boy, Mitchell aka Travis Christian Smiegel who was also being raised by the child killer adoptive father Joel Steinberg. Travis had been severely abused but survived and was subsequently returned to his biological mother.

Gynecologist Dr. Mitchell Essig admitted under oath in this trial that “Essig’s then-medical partner, Dr. Peter Sarosi, delivered the boy and arranged his adoption. Essig acknowledged Thursday he’d picked up the boy from the child’s grandmother in a hospital parking lot and driven him to Steinberg, who was an attorney. He said he thought the June 1986 adoption was on the up-and-up, though he didn’t carry any paperwork along with the child.

“My understanding was that this was the grandmother, this was a lawyer and this was legal,” said Essig, who wasn’t charged with any crime.”

“”I really had no idea it was legal, quasi-legal or illegal,” Essig said. “The grandmother gave me the baby. The person getting the baby was a lawyer.””

Dr. Essig is “now an assistant professor at New York University’s Langone Medical Center and in private practice.”

NY officers’ trial witness has tie to 1980s saga

[Wall Street Journal 5/5/11 by Associated Press]

Child abuse case surfaces in trial of accused rape cops, as witness admits connection to murder
[NY Daily News 5/5/11 by Melissa Grace]

REFORM Puzzle Piece