Leanna Launer of Kansas City spent eight years searching for her birth mother, who gave birth to her in Louisiana then put her up for adoption in Kansas City. After nearly giving up hope of finding her biological mother, Leanna Launer posted a Facebook photograph of herself holding a sign that explained who she was looking for.
The photo went viral and the local news even picked up the story. A breakthrough followed. A man named Ron Armstrong contacted Launer through Facebook. He stated that he had dated Launder’s mother, Lucinda, several years after the adoption. Lucinda, Armstrong said, was the mother Launer sought. Though the details, timing and photos seemed to match up, Launer thought it was too good to be true.
In a way, it was. Armstrong also had terrible news—Lucinda had been diagnosed with Melanoma and passed away four years ago. Though the news was devastating, Launer also learned she had a half-sister. Armstrong and Lucinda had a daughter, Jessica, who would be Launer’s half-sister.
Less than one week after she posted the Facebook picture that ultimately led to answers, Leanna Launer met with Jessica, Ron, and extended family she never knew. Her search of eight years ended in just five days after taking to the web.
Leanna Launer and her half-sister Jessica will have genetic tests completed to confirm they are related and Leanna plans to visit her mother’s grave. Leanna Launer also believes she knows the identity of her birth father, and intends to make finding him her next mission.
Leanna Launer is not the only adopted child to have found answers on Facebook. Around the same time that Launer turned to the social media network to find her birth mother, Natalie Bader engaged in a similar mission. Natalie’s mother, Collette, found out she was pregnant shortly after enlisting in the Army. She knew she couldn’t afford to raise her child and elected to proceed with an open adoption.
Collette chose Rosie and Don Bader to adopt young Natalie, and for awhile the couple sent regular photographs of the beloved infant. Collette also sent letters for Natalie to read when she was old enough. Four years after the adoption, the adoption agency closed and Collette lost touch with the Baders. She was not sure she would see her daughter again.
Decades later, the Baders gave Collette’s letters to Natalie. Natalie used the identifying information in the letters to search for her biological mother online. She found Collette’s Facebook page within 15 minutes and also learned that she had two half-siblings. Natalie reached out to both, and soon reconnected with the family. Though Natalie now has a great relationship with Collette, she is thankful she was placed for adoption with the Baders. She was raised in a loving home with two fantastic parents and stresses that she wouldn’t change a thing.
These two stories show the power of the web in connecting people. The web can also serve as an important tool for potential adoptive families, allowing them to find that perfect child to complete their family.
McDowell Chartered: Creating Families
The Kansas Adoption Law Attorneys at McDowell Chartered have decades of experience assisting families in both domestic and international adoptions. Some of our clients come to us with the arrangements for a private adoption already made. Others ask our adoption staff to assist them in locating a child. In either situation, our experienced Adoption Attorneys can help you create the family you desire. Since 1992, our compassionate attorney team has provided quality legal services to families throughout Kansas, simplifying and expediting the adoption process. Call us today at (316) 633-4322 for an initial consultation.