Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — National Authority on Child Care (NACC) Executive Director Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada said some children from orphanage Gentle Hands Inc. were already returned to their parents.
\”Doon naman sa mga kaso ng mga nanay na nagc-claim ng kanilang mga anak sa Gentle Hands, we’re happy to announce na ‘yong dalawang nanay doon ay naibalik na po sa kanila ‘yong kanilang mga anak,\” Estrada added.
[Translation: As for the cases of the mothers who were claiming their children at Gentle Hands, we’re happy to announce that the two mothers there had their children returned to them.]
Last June 9, a 31-year-old mother filed a complaint against the orphanage’s executive director Charity Heppner Graff for refusing to return her three minor children.
READ: QC orphanage exec faces kidnapping complaint
Estrada, however, did not clarify if it was the same mother but assured that children under the care of the now-closed orphanage are in a good condition, after they were turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
GHI was not a licensed temporary shelter but only for adoption, which is why some parents want their children back.
The NACC officer also denied claims that the children were traumatized due to their sudden pullout from the facility. The agency currently awaits the assessment and findings of the DSWD on the orphanage.
