Orphanage executive faces more raps

MANILA, Philippines — A fourth criminal case was filed yesterday against the executive director of the private orphanage Gentle Hands Inc. (GHI) before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office, this time for violation of Republic Act 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act of 1998.

In her affidavit-complaint, Ma. Luisa Angel Peralta accused GHI executive director Charity Heppner-Graff of violating RA 11642 over the childcare facility’s refusal to hand over her nine-year-old daughter.

Peralta said her mother took her daughter in June 2018 and placed the girl under the custody of GHI. She said it took her several months to learn that her daughter is with GHI’s Quezon City facility.

When she tried to take back her child, Peralta said GHI asked her to produce the necessary documents.

She said that her visits to her daughter in GHI temporarily stopped when she became pregnant and gave birth to another child in 2019.

Peralta said that she was advised by her lawyer, Myreen Raginio, to file criminal charges against Heppner-Graff and other unidentified personnel of the GHI’s Quezon City facility over the planned adoption of her daughter.

Three complaints of kidnapping were also filed against Heppner-Graff in her capacity as executive director of GHI.

Karizza Joyce Torcatos, a widow with two children, was the third mother to file a kidnapping case against GHI for its failure to return her children.

The other complainants were Monina Espinosa Roxas and Melanie Marzan.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian has ordered the suspension of the orphanage’s operation over various violations. - Delon Porcalla