Pod Insights American Scandal The Woman Who Sold Babies | Sitting on a Goldmine | 3 About this episode Georgia Tann turns her illegal adoption ring into a lucrative business, but questions start to be asked about the high number of children dying in Memphis.
Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter
Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-scandal/ http://wondery.com/links/american-scandal/ now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
0:00 Lindsay Graham? Audible subscribers can binge new seasons of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. A listener note: This episode contains depictions of child abuse and is not suitable for all audiences. To protect their privacy, we have changed the names of some children involved in this story.
0:35 Lindsay Graham? It's spring 1933 in downtown Los Angeles, California. Forty-one-year-old Georgia Tan strides across the cathedral-like lobby of the Biltmore Hotel, bellhops wheel gleaming luggage carts toward the elevators while guests sip cocktails in plush armchairs. Tan loves it here. She's always seen herself as one of life's winners, and staying in an iconic hotel like the Biltmore feels right to her. But unlike the other more glamorous women here, Tan wears austere black pants and a simple blouse. She is also carrying a baby. She makes her way across the lobby to a well-dressed couple in their early 40s, sitting stiffly beside an empty stroller.
1:20 Lindsay Graham? Mr. and Mrs. Chapman? Tan watches as Mr. Chapman rises, extending his hand. Yes, that's us. You must be Miss Tan? Yes, it's a pleasure. And this is your son? Tan gently shifts the sleeping infant in her arms to face the couple. Mrs. Chapman presses her hand to her mouth as tears well in her eyes. She leans against her husband, who puts an arm around her. I'm sorry, Miss Tan. This has been a long road for us to get here. We're a bit overcome. Trembling slightly, Mrs. Chapman reaches out and Tan hands over the infant. Pressing herself against his tiny cheek, Mrs. Chapman whispers something, while Mr. Chapman looks on, clearly caught up in his own emotions. Mr. Chapman?
2:05 Lindsay Graham? Hmm? Yes? Tan removes a folded document out of the purse dangling from her arm. Well, all I need now is a signature. Oh, yes, of course. I'd be glad to. Tan hands Mr. Chapman the document. Pulling out a pen, he hunches over a small coffee table and signs his name at the bottom. Well, that's it. Congratulations to you both. That's it. He's just ours now. Yes, officially, you are his foster parents. The adoption will be finalized within a year. But there's no other requirements. You're not going to come home with us? We thought maybe you'd want to check the nursery, supervise us, at least for a little while. Well, you've already been approved by my organization, Mr. Chapman. We trust you can take care of your son.
2:49 Lindsay Graham? Mr. Chapman looks suddenly terrified at this new responsibility. Tan gives him a cool look. We haven't made a mistake, have we? No, of course not. I mean, we'll be fine. It's just... After waiting so long, it seems awfully sudden. There are no training wheels for parenthood, Mr. Chapman. You just start pedaling. Now, all I need is the final payment. Of course, I have it here. Mr. Chapman pulls an envelope from his jacket and hands it to Tan. She digs her nail into the seam and tears the envelope open. Mr. Chapman shifts uneasily. It should be all correct. Yes, yeah, everything seems to be in order. Thank you, Mr. Chapman. No. No, thank you, Miss Tan. We didn't think this day would ever come.
3:33 Lindsay Graham? Neither us, but... Oh, look at him. As Mr. Chapman turns to his wife and new baby boy, Tan slides the check into her purse. Look at them, indeed. You'll be fine, Mr. Chapman. And just remember, if you ever want a sibling for your little boy, you know where to find me.
3:52 Lindsay Graham? Tan bids farewell to the Chapmans and turns to walk back toward the elevators. She glances at her watch as she goes. Another couple will be arriving in half an hour, so she has to get back to her room and prepare their child for them. It's a brisk business, and one more baby to deliver means one more payment to collect.
4:13 Speaker 01 PrizePix packs are here. Rip digital packs and get real basketball, football and Pokemon cards on PrizePix packs. Available now nationwide. Once you see your pool, you have a choice to sell back instantly for real cash or ship at home. Cash from your sale will immediately be added to your PrizePix balance. It's just another way to run your game. New users, download the PrizePix app today and use code WONDERY to get $25 instantly in bonus packs when you buy your first $5 pack. PrizePix, run your game. 18 plus to eligible areas. Terms apply. Collect responsibly.
4:43 Speaker 02 Confidence. It's listening to your gut. It's moving forward even when the path ahead is unclear. For nearly 160 years, Pacific Life has helped people keep their promises, building confidence for generations. Whether you're confident in your financial future or just beginning to envision it, we're here to help. Ask a financial professional how. Pacific Life, the power of a promise. Pacific Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska, and in New York. Pacific Life and Annuity, Phoenix, Arizona.
5:22 Lindsay Graham? From Wondery, I'm Lindsay Graham, and this is American Scandal.
5:46 Lindsay Graham? By the late 1930s, Georgia Tan's career was flourishing. She had practically taken over the Tennessee Children's Home Society in Memphis and had become one of the foremost advocates of adoption anywhere in America. But Tan didn't just hand out children to anyone. She was fixated on the idea that a poor child, however happy or loved, was always better off with a wealthy family. But as her profile rose and more people sought her help, Tan began to realize that she could benefit from her work as well. For those adopting through the Tennessee Children's Home Society, there were various fees to pay. Administrative costs, pre-adoption home visits and travel expenses. These were all legitimate. But Tan realized she was leaving money on the table.
6:30 Lindsay Graham? If she inflated the charges and had parents make their checks out directly to her, she could make a profit on every child she placed. Adoptions had already made Tan a powerful woman. Now they were going to make her a wealthy one, too. This is episode three, Sitting on a Gold Mine.
6:51 Lindsay Graham? In the summer of 1933, 24-year-old waitress Mary Lee Calhoun pays a visit to the Tennessee Children's Home Society office in downtown Memphis. Calhoun is about to spend several weeks in the hospital, and she needs to make arrangements for the care of her four children, a three-year-old daughter and sons aged seven, six, and five. Calhoun has heard about Georgia Tan and hopes that her TCHS will be able to help. When she arrives at the offices, Calhoun is met by one of Tan's officials, who has all the paperwork ready for her to sign with a kind face and sympathetic tone.
7:28 Lindsay Graham? Mrs. Calhoun, I understand. This must be a difficult day for you. Well, it's just terrible timing. My husband Danny's sick as well, but I'll be back on my feet before long. The doctor says a few weeks, a month at most. That's good to hear. And rest assured, your little ones will be safe, well-fed, clothed, and loved, just like all the children under our care. I so appreciate it. We've got no one else to watch them while I'm laid up. But as soon as I'm home, I'll be back for them. Of course, naturally. Now, if we could just go through the paperwork together. This first document officially places your children under the guardianship of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. You'll see here, it's standard language, nothing to worry about. But Calhoun frowns as she studies the document. Well, this says that I relinquish them here.
8:13 Lindsay Graham? Doesn't that mean I'm giving them up? That's just legal wording. What it really means is that while you're recovering, we'll have full authority to act in your children's best interests in terms of medical needs, housing, that sort of thing. I don't like how it sounds. I understand completely, but you know, lawyers, it just simply ensures we can look after the children properly without any delays or red tape. I mean, if anything were to happen to them, if they had a little fall or gotten sick, I'd hate to think that we couldn't give them the care they needed because we didn't have the right piece of paper. Well... I just, I don't want them thinking we've abandoned them. No, of course not. And I'll make sure they know their mom is coming back for them. The official holds out a pen. Calhoun hesitates for a moment, and then signs.
8:58 Lindsay Graham? The TCH official leans over the desk and then flips the document to another page. Good. Now, if you'll just initial here and here. They'll be together, won't they? I'm sorry? The children, you won't split them up? Now, we always try to keep siblings together whenever possible. You try to? Every effort will be made, Ms. Calhoun. We take the welfare of children very seriously, I assure you. They'll be in excellent hands. And when you return, they'll be just as happy and healthy as you left them.
9:28 Lindsay Graham? Mary Lee Calhoun does not realize that she's just signed away custody of her children and handed them over to the TCHS. Within days, Georgia Tan starts looking for buyers for her four children. She doesn't find anyone to take the girl before Calhoun returned from the hospital to claim her, but Tan gets good money for the three boys. The two younger brothers are sold together to one family, but the oldest, seven-year-old Eugene, is taken away from the others and driven out of Memphis by Tan herself. It takes several hours to get Eugene to his new home, which is a farm deep in rural Arkansas. After a quick handshake with the owner, Tan pockets a wad of dollar bills before climbing back into her car and leaving young Eugene behind.
10:13 Lindsay Graham? Eugene's new parents don't see him as a member of the family, however. To them, he's just unpaid labor. He's given an unheated room to sleep in along with a meager wardrobe of overalls, a few shirts, and one pair of shoes. He's made to rise before dawn every day to feed the livestock. Then he helps the farmer plow, plant, weed, and harvest cotton until sundown. All that would be bad enough, but Eugene's new father is also an abusive man. He doles out vicious beatings for the smallest of infractions, and one time he even shatters Eugene's spine after hitting him with a post hole digger. Georgia Tan is not aware of any of this. But even if a child's new home is far worse than the one they're rescued from, Tan doesn't care.
10:57 Lindsay Graham? Once she has money in hand, the child's well-being is no longer her concern. She's already moved on to the next adoption. By now, Tan's official salary of perhaps a few hundred dollars a month is dwarfed by what she's making illegally from adoptions. It's a scheme she continues to get away with thanks to the support of the powerful network she's built in Memphis, people who should be protecting children and their parents, but are in fact just Tan's willing collaborators.
11:28 Lindsay Graham? It's 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee. Fifteen-year-old Martha Brewer sits in the back of a car squeezed in alongside her four siblings. The youngest, five-year-old Annie, darts her eyes back and forth in fear. Martha gives her a squeeze and tells her everything's going to be all right. But despite what she tells her sister, Martha is having a harder time convincing herself that they'll all be okay. Their mother is dying of cancer, and has asked relatives to take in Martha and the others. But it has all happened so quickly that no one is ready for the children just yet. So yesterday, their mother called the welfare department and asked if they could care for her children until permanent arrangements can be made. This morning, Martha and her siblings were brought to the juvenile court in Memphis,
12:13 Lindsay Graham? where Judge Camille Kelly announced she'd be sending them to the St. Peter's home for children. Judge Kelly smiled at them all so sweetly in court. She had an enormous corsage pinned to her dress and spoke to them like a grandmother might. But Martha didn't get a good feeling from her, and she can't shake the dread in the pit of her stomach. Still, when the car comes to a stop in front of a large red brick building, Martha puts on a brave face and ushers her siblings out. She holds little Annie's hand as they all spill onto the wide lawn and stare up at the imposing orphanage. Behind them, a court worker climbs out of the car. In a few seconds, Martha feels Annie's hand slip out of hers. For a moment, she thinks her sister has just run off to get a closer look at the building,
12:57 Lindsay Graham? but then she hears a scream. Martha and the rest of her siblings turn to see Annie being pulled away toward another car. The children rush forward to help their sister but are blocked by a driver and one of the nuns from the orphanage. The children can only watch helplessly as Annie is bundled into the backseat and then driven away. Where she's going, they have no idea. And as they look around at each other, stunned and silent on the grass, each of them wonders if they'll ever see their youngest sister again. In the days that follow, Martha continually asks the staff at the orphanage where Annie has been taken. Eventually, one of the nuns relents and tells her what's happened. Annie will not be coming back.
13:39 Lindsay Graham? She's been transferred to the custody of the Tennessee Children's Home Society and has already been flown out of state to be adopted by a new family. At only 15 years old, Martha is powerless to save her sister. But even if she were an adult, it's unlikely Martha would be able to do anything. By now, Georgia Tan and the Tennessee Children's Home Society are too powerful and too well protected, because it's not just Tan's army of influential friends and contacts that she can call on. She also employs the services of one of Memphis's top lawyers. Abe Waldauer is the city's assistant attorney and a major player in the political machine of local fixer Edward Boss Crum. As Tan's personal lawyer, it's Waldauer who protects her from any parents of stolen
14:23 Lindsay Graham? children who try to mount a legal challenge. One such parent is Polish shoemaker Henry Wagerman. In the mid-1930s, he files suit against Georgia Tan and the Tennessee Children's Home Society. Wagerman claims that after filing for bankruptcy in 1929, he took his young daughter to the TCHS for temporary care. But when he came back to retrieve her, she was gone, adopted out to a new family against his will. At the time, there was nothing he could do, but now he has the money to challenge the TCHS in court, and he is demanding that his child be returned to him. But Tan and her lawyer call the allegations absurd. They say Wagerman signed legal papers surrendering his daughter for adoption, and that the young
15:07 Lindsay Graham? girl in question is now living happily with a wealthy family overseas. But Wagerman insists he was duped. He didn't know English well at the time, and no one properly explained the meaning of the documents he signed. But despite his pleading, after a one-day hearing, the court sides with Tan. And when Wagnerman appeals to a higher court in Jackson, the judge there dismisses his claim too. Wagnerman never sees his daughter again. But it's not the last time a grieving parent is left disappointed by the legal system. With A. Waldauer at her side, it seems that Georgia Tan is untouchable. But as her operation continues to grow, not all the threats Tan faces will be legal ones.
15:49 Lindsay Graham? Before they are sold to new parents, the children Tan acquires are kept in a network of private boarding homes and orphanages in Memphis. But as the TCHS takes on more children, the conditions in these facilities get worse and worse. They are crowded, unhygienic, and understaffed. And the children who live in them are often left malnourished after being fed little more than bread, water, and cold oatmeal for months on end. And with such widespread neglect, it is no surprise that the child mortality rate in Memphis begins to climb. And eventually, people outside Tennessee start to take notice.
16:28 Lindsay Graham? It's February 1935 at the U.S. Children's Bureau in Washington, D.C. Forty-two-year-old pediatrician Ella Oppenheimer reads through paperwork at her desk. The Bureau works to improve the lives of children and families across America, and for the past 15 years, Dr. Oppenheimer has been researching maternity care and child health. It's the middle of the Great Depression, and there are plenty of children in need all across the country. But when one of Oppenheimer's colleagues pays a visit today, he has some disturbing new findings out of Memphis that he thinks she should see. Oppenheimer waves him into the room, and he passes her a report across the desk. It concerns the mortality rate of infants in Memphis.
17:09 Lindsay Graham? As Oppenheimer scans through the figures and charts, her eyebrows arching concern. According to this report, for every thousand live births in Memphis last year, over 100 babies died. That's twice the national average and the second-highest rate in the country. Oppenheimer's colleague tells her that the numbers have folks down in Tennessee worried, and that the mayor of Memphis himself has sent a request to the Children's Bureau asking for help. They need to understand what's behind their high mortality rate, so they can figure out how to address it. Dr. Oppenheimer knows there could be many reasons behind the report's shocking numbers: city sanitation, a contaminated water supply, local social or economic factors. But it worries her that it seems local officials don't have a grasp on the problem.
17:54 Lindsay Graham? So Dr. Oppenheimer sets her paperwork aside, makes an instant decision. She knows she won't be able to do much from her office here in Washington, so instead, she's going to Memphis, Tennessee, to get to the bottom of things.
18:09 Speaker 03 This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Ah, fall. That cozy season where we swap the swimwear for sweaters and sunnies for scarves. But before the Halloween decorations are put away, or Thanksgiving table has been set, there's already holly jolly music playing in the grocery store, reminding you that the year is coming to a close. Time to kick end of year into high gear. When you use Apple Card with Apple Pay, you earn 2% daily cash back on all purchases, including food, decorations, gifts, and more. Get a head start on your end-of-year purchases. Apply for your Apple Card in the Wallet app on your iPhone today, and start using it right away with Apple Pay. Subject to credit approval, Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Terms and more at applecard.com.
18:54 Speaker 04 Hey, I'm Cassie DePeckle, the host of Against the Odds from Audible Originals. In each episode, we share thrilling true stories of survival, putting you in the shoes of the people who lived to tell the tale. In our latest series, we track the story of Hugh Glass, the real-life revenant that inspired the 2015 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In 1823, Glass was brutally mauled by a grizzly bear in present-day South Dakota and left for dead. His survival depended on trekking through 350 miles of wilderness alone with grave injuries. But he was driven by his thirst for revenge. Follow Against the Odds wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of Against the Odds early and ad-free right now.
19:36 Speaker 04 Join Audible in the Audible app, or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
19:52 Lindsay Graham? U.S. Children's Bureau pediatrician Ella Oppenheimer arrives in Memphis, Tennessee in the spring of 1935. She's been summoned by the city's mayor, as well as a coalition of worried doctors, professors, and community leaders to investigate why so many children in Memphis are failing to make it past their first birthday. Dr. Oppenheimer sets to work immediately. She meets with the city's child welfare agencies and interviews health care workers about their experiences on the front lines. She soon concludes that gastrointestinal infections are one of the main causes of the high infant mortality rate in Memphis. Such illnesses can spread very quickly and leave young children dangerously dehydrated unless cared for properly. But that's only a partial answer to the mystery.
20:36 Lindsay Graham? The cause of the epidemic remains unclear. So hoping to get more information, Dr. Oppenheimer reaches out to the head of one of the city's largest childcare organizations, Miss Georgia Tan of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. Tan is such an influential figure in Memphis that Oppenheimer is sure she will have useful information to share. But getting a hold of Tan proves very difficult. Oppenheimer's attempts to schedule a meeting are repeatedly avoided or rebuffed. Finally, at the beginning of July 1935, Dr. Oppenheimer decides that her polite requests are not working, so she tracks Tan down in person at her office in the heart of Memphis. It's a searingly hot afternoon with temperatures reaching 99 degrees, so the lobby of the
21:20 Lindsay Graham? Durman Building is welcomely cool and dark. Laying her eyes adjust to the gloom, Dr. Oppenheimer peers at the directory on the wall. She finds the listing for the Tennessee Children's Home Society, then heads down a hallway. Dr. Oppenheimer is just a few steps away from the TCHS office when the door opens and a stern-looking woman with neatly cropped hair strides out. Oppenheimer raises her hand. "Excuse me, I'm sorry, are you Miss Georgia Tan?" The woman stops and looks at Oppenheimer imperiously. "Yes, what can I do for you, miss?" "Well, it's Doctor, actually, Dr. Ella Oppenheimer. I'm from the Children's Bureau in Washington. I've been trying to contact you. I do have a lot of calls on my time, I'm sorry. What was it regarding?"
22:05 Lindsay Graham? "The health of Memphis's children. I've been invited here by the mayor." "Ah, yes, I remember now." Tan turns and locks the office door, then returns to face Dr. Oppenheimer. Well, as you can see, I'm not a doctor, nor am I a nurse. I doubt I can offer you much assistance. Tan moves past Oppenheimer and then heads down the hall toward the exit. Oppenheimer falls into step with her. Nonetheless, I believe your insight would be most valuable for my report. Your organization runs several boarding homes for expectant mothers and infants in the city, correct? Not entirely. I really do have somewhere I need to be. I'm happy to walk with you. This won't take long. Well, all right. We don't run the homes ourselves. We pay a fee to the operators for each child or pregnant woman they take in
22:49 Lindsay Graham? to cover the cost of room and board and any medical care they may require. Excuse me, do you mind? Tan points at the door, and Oppenheimer hesitates a moment, confused. Oh, of course. Then Oppenheimer opens the door and Tan bustles through. Oppenheimer follows her out onto the street. Now, Ms. Tan, I understand you're not supervising these boarding homes on a day-to-day basis, but presumably you have oversight at least of these facilities. You're placing young children there. I can assure you, all the homes we use are of the highest standard. Tan peers down the street with an irritated expression. Oppenheimer presses on. That's good to hear, but could you tell me what kind of training the operators of these homes receive? Do you know if they have qualified, medically-trained staff on hand?
23:31 Lindsay Graham? Ms. Oppenheimer, perhaps in Washington you have boarding homes with on-call doctors and nurses, but we operate on very limited budgets here. We rely almost exclusively on donations for funding. Around-the-clock medical care would simply be unfeasible. Ms. Tan, I understand budget constraints, believe me, but I am not talking about in-house teams of doctors or surgeons or anything like that. What are you talking about then, Ms. Oppenheimer? I'm talking about the alarming rate of infant mortality in Memphis. Yes, and? And I think it's preventable. There's been a spate of gastrointestinal infections. At this moment, Oppenheimer is surprised to see a limousine pull up and a chauffeur climb out from the driver's seat and open the door for Tan. Ms. Tan, these illnesses spread incredibly quickly and can be serious, especially in the very young.
24:17 Lindsay Graham? If your staff know what symptoms to look for, how to respond, it could save lives. And that's what we're all here for, isn't it? To protect the children? With her hand gripped tightly on the open limousine door, Tan pauses. Ms. Oppenheimer, as I've already said, the facilities used by the TCH are the very best in the city. You say you are here to investigate a high number of infant deaths? Well, I can tell you that not a single child in our care has died in 1935 thus far, not a single one. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a great deal of work to attend to.
24:50 Lindsay Graham? Dr. Oppenheimer stands on the street for a moment, replaying Tan's words in her head. If what she said is true, it would be an extraordinary achievement. Given the number of young children in TCH's care and the alarming rate of infant deaths in Memphis, it would be a miracle if Tan's organization was unaffected. So Dr. Oppenheimer remains unconvinced. She can't shake the feeling that Georgia Tan is lying.
25:18 Lindsay Graham? Dr. Ella Oppenheimer completes her report and submits it to Memphis city officials in October of 1935. The 129-page document is thorough but cautious. If Dr. Oppenheimer harbors any suspicions about Georgia Tan or the TCHS, they are not reflected directly in her report. Perhaps mindful not to antagonize such a powerful local figure, Oppenheimer does not point fingers or specify any one cause for the rise in infant mortality in Memphis. Instead, she sticks to more general observations and recommendations. Still, the last of the report's eight policy proposals seems aimed squarely at Tan and the TCHS. Oppenheimer recommends that the local health department be given legal authority
26:01 Lindsay Graham? over the city's maternity and boarding homes to ensure they meet modern standards. But Tan's connections at City Hall ensure that any prying eyes are kept away from her boarding homes. Some of Dr. Oppenheimer's other recommendations are eventually implemented, but Tan is able to continue her business much as before. And over the next six years, Tan only adds to the small fortune she earns from her trade in babies. She has started investing in property around Memphis, and her family lives a life of quiet luxury. They enjoy fine foods, chauffeur-driven cars, and lavish overseas vacations. Tan often drops everything to fly away to Cuba and its many opulent casinos. But Tan knows all of it could be taken away in an instant if she's ever exposed.
26:47 Lindsay Graham? The report by Dr. Oppenheimer was a close call. And despite all her power, money, and political allies, Tan is worried that more unwanted attention will follow. Over time, the pressure starts to wear her down. In 1941, Tan celebrates her 50th birthday. But that same year, she experiences a nervous breakdown which forces her to retreat from public life. And soon after that, she has a heart attack. She's forced to slow down, but as she recuperates, her work becomes a little easier. The shifting attitudes to adoption she's encouraged over the years help usher in changes to Tennessee regulations. Previously, a judge was needed to verify that parents consented to surrendering their child to an adoption agency.
27:30 Lindsay Graham? But with a growing number of adoptions clogging up the courts, Tennessee decides to take that power away from the judges. Instead, the surrender of children will only need to be confirmed by a notary public to verify the legal documents. But Tan and many of her staff at the TCHS are already notaries. So now she can legitimize her theft of children with little more than a rubber stamp.
27:58 Lindsay Graham? It's the fall of 1943 in an affluent neighborhood of Midtown Memphis. 52-year-old Georgia Tan stands on the wide column porch of a handsome three-story mansion. A small crowd of TCHS benefactors and local dignitaries has gathered on the lawn in front of her, and they gaze up at Tan expectantly. Stepping forward, Tan clears her throat and welcomes them all to 1556 Poplar Avenue, the new Memphis headquarters of the Tennessee Children's Home Society. Tan explains that the extensive property behind her has been donated to the TCHS by a local businessman. And it means the charity won't have to rely so much on private boarding homes and orphanages in the future. Instead, the TCHS itself can provide a safe and loving home for the children in its care.
28:44 Lindsay Graham? After a polite smattering of applause from her audience, Tan cuts a bright red ribbon strung across the front door and then invites everyone in to tour the building. The home is as beautiful inside as it is outside. There are tasteful offices and receiving rooms on the first floor, while upstairs there are bright and airy nurseries staffed by women in crisp white uniforms. Everything seems perfect, a warm and welcome home for children in need. But after the opening days, special guests have all left. 1556 Poplar Avenue soon becomes a home of neglect and abuse.
29:21 Speaker 05 Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat and Fish are back for a whole lot of wonderfully whimsical fun. What happens when you switch bodies with your best friend? Discover a caveman frozen in ice? Or make an alien so angry he threatens to destroy the planet? Find out in season two of the Cat in the Hat podcast. The Cat and Fish are traveling the world in the great catastrophic cacophony cruiser, meeting genies, clown professors, cave trolls, and extraordinary characters along the way. With clever wordplay, imaginative rhymes, original songs, and stories celebrating curiosity, empathy, and creative problem solving, every adventure brings something new to discover.
30:04 Speaker 05 It's a world of wonderful words, big imaginations, and plenty of heart for the whole family. Listen to the Cat in the Hat podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all 20 episodes early and ad-free right now.
30:21 Speaker 06 I'm Gemma Whelan, and in the new season of The Spy Who, we tell the story of the original femme fatale, The Spy Who Was Mata Hari. A famous dancer turned World War I secret agent, accused of seducing Allied officers to uncover their plans. But was she a temptress or a scapegoat for French failures? Follow The Spy Who now, wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen to the full season of The Spy Who Was Mata Hari, early and ad-free on Audible.
31:02 Lindsay Graham? Before 1943, the Tennessee Children's Home Society did not operate any of the boarding homes or orphanages they worked with in Memphis. And that meant that Georgia Tan could deny that she was ultimately responsible if any of those facilities did not provide proper care. But this all changes once TCHS opens its own receiving home on Poplar Avenue. Neighbors of the building are soon calling it "The House of Mystery" as no one knows exactly what goes on behind its walls, and no one suspects how bad it really is. The women who work at the home may be dressed like nurses with their pristine white uniforms, but they have no medical training, and each of them must supervise up to 25 young children at a time.
31:43 Lindsay Graham? The house is freezing cold in winter, stifling in summer, and discipline is strict year round. But it's Tan herself the children fear the most. It's not just that she has complete power over their lives and chooses who gets to leave and who must stay. She also picks out some children for special attention, and these girls are told it's a privilege, a show of favor, while it is instead sexual molestation. 1556 Poplar Avenue enables Georgia Tan to control, abuse, and profit from children on a scale greater than ever before. But in early 1945, only a year and a half after the new TCHS headquarters opens, it is in threat of being exposed.
32:26 Lindsay Graham? That year, a bill is presented to the Tennessee Legislature that will mandate the licensing and inspection of all children's boarding homes in the state. If Georgia Tan wants 1556 Poplar Avenue to pass these checks, she will have to employ properly trained staff and improve conditions. But that would eat into her profits, so Tan and her lawyer, Abe Waldauer, lobby hard against the bill. But despite all Tan's efforts and her powerful friends, it soon becomes clear that there is no stopping the new law. So instead, she and Waldauer try a different tack. Using their connections in the state legislature, they have a special clause inserted into the bill exempting any facilities run or used by the TCHS.
33:11 Lindsay Graham? The bill passes, but with this new clause in place, it offers no help to the children living on Poplar Avenue, and it gives them no protection from what is to come. The TCHS boarding home was overcrowded and unclean, a perfect breeding ground for disease. And in 1945, ten years after Dr. Oppenheimer warned of fast-spreading gastrointestinal disease, a vicious outbreak of dysentery sweeps through the building. In the space of just four months, dozens of children die, leaving one doctor to plead for changes to be made.
33:48 Lindsay Graham? It's the late summer of 1945. World War II is drawing to a close, and as in the rest of the country, there's an excited mood in the air in Memphis. But Dr. Clyde Crosswell looks somber as he arrives at the TCH facility on Poplar Avenue. The 48-year-old Crosswell is familiar with the home. A respected pediatrician, he's been volunteering as a medical advisor to the TCHS for some time now. But his experience here over the last few months has him worried.
34:19 Lindsay Graham? He walks up the drive to the white columned porch, where he's greeted by 49-year-old attorney Abe Waldauer. Dr. Crosswell, welcome. Come in, come in. Good to see you again, Abe. The two men walk into a large room with tall windows. Around a table sit the other members of the TCHS board, three men and a woman. Waldauer takes his place at the head of the table and then motions for Crosswell to sit in the empty chair opposite. Well Clyde, you've got us all here, the whole board. What is so important? Well, first of all, I appreciate everyone making the time to me. I know you are all busy people. Crosswell then reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a stack of papers. He passes half to the man on his left and the other to the woman on his right.
35:02 Lindsay Graham? These are my notes from the last four months of visits to this facility. There's a copy there for each of you. At the other end of the table, Waldauer takes the documents, but barely glances at them. Clyde, we're not doctors. I doubt any of this will make sense to us. Well, it's important, and I'm glad to explain it. As you know, I've been treating an alarming number of children in this home for diarrhea and dehydration. It's been bad. Many of those children have died. But I believe those deaths were avoidable. Well, Clyde, I think we all know it's deeply regrettable, of course. And we're aware that there have been some instances where you were not contacted soon enough. But I believe the staff has been spoken to about proper protocols and such. We'll be sure to contact you more quickly next time. Well, this is not just about next time.
35:46 Lindsay Graham? And it's not about the staff either. I advised that the entire house needed to be evacuated. Every child removed, so it could be properly sanitized and the epidemic contained. Now, Clyde, we can't shut the place down every time a few kids get sick. It was not just a few. I told Ms. Tan the house needed to be closed. Not only did she ignore me, but more infants continued to arrive during an ongoing outbreak. It was like there was a fire burning through the building, and her only response was to throw on more fuel. A flicker of irritation crosses Waldauer's face. Now, doctor, it sounds to me like there must be some miscommunication here. There was no miscommunication. I spoke to Ms. Tan personally. Ms. Tan is a highly respected member of this community. She's devoted her life to helping children. What, what exactly are you accusing her of?
36:30 Lindsay Graham? I'm accusing her of negligence, of recklessness. Be careful, doctor. And you know what? Maybe worse. And if this board refuses to act, we will all have blood on our hands.
36:43 Lindsay Graham? After this meeting with Dr. Crosswell, the TCH board appoints an internal committee to investigate his accusations. But it quickly concludes that Crosswell's claims are baseless. When he hears this, Dr. Crosswell is furious. He tells the board that he will no longer volunteer his services, but that does not mean he's giving up. He still wants to protect the children on Poplar Avenue. He's just got to find another way.
37:11 Lindsay Graham? Dr. Clyde Crosswell is certain he's not the only Memphis doctor with concerns about Georgia Tan and the Tennessee Children's Home Society. So he approaches other pediatricians who volunteer at the charity, and it is not long before he starts to hear familiar stories. Some tell him that they have prescribed drugs to children at TCHS homes, but their patients haven't gotten any better. They suspect that Tan and her staff are not administering the medicine at all. Other doctors tell Crosswell how Tan has ignored their advice and sent newborn babies on long, exhausting journeys to adoptive homes on the other side of the country. Hearing all this, Crosswell is certain Tan is up to something, but he cannot figure out what it is.
37:53 Lindsay Graham? Crosswell talks to five other doctors in all, and together, they then write a letter about what's really going on at the Tennessee Children's Home Society. They send it to the local probate court judge Samuel Bates. Judge Bates oversees many of Tan's adoptions, but recently, he's also become suspicious of the TCHS. He's heard of too many cases of birth parents trying to reclaim children they insist were stolen from them. And this letter from five doctors is more direct proof of wrongdoing. After reading the accusations, Bates sends a letter of his own to the Tennessee Department of Public Welfare. He informs that department that unless the doctor's claims are found to be false, or Georgia Tan is removed from her position as head of the agency, he will not approve
38:37 Lindsay Graham? any more adoptions for the Tennessee Children's Home Society. This is the first real opposition from someone in power that Tan has ever faced, but for once, she has other things on her mind. It's 1945 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Georgia Tan is sitting in a doctor's office, waiting to see a specialist. She'd gone to see her primary physician in Memphis about some unexpected spotting in her underwear. At 54 years old, Tan hasn't had a period for some time, so she knew this was unusual. Her Memphis doctor had some suspicions, but told Tan that the Mayo Clinic was the very best in the country.
39:20 Lindsay Graham? And seeing as how she can afford it, this is where Tan has come for more tests. Now she's waiting to hear the results. The door opens behind her and the doctor strides in. He sits across the desk from Tan, opens a folder of notes in front of him, takes a deep breath, and then looks up. Tan knows at once, it isn't good news. By the time the doctor finally confirms that she has terminal uterine cancer, her mind is already elsewhere. While the doctor lists treatment options, Tan is thinking of her family, of her partner Ann, and her daughter June. She wants to make sure they are set up after she's gone, and that means she needs to make more money. But Georgia Tan is running out of time, because just as her own body is attacking her from
40:04 Lindsay Graham? within, new investigations into her actions at the TCHS threaten her from without. Before long, Tan will be facing a race to see what comes for her first: death or exposure. From Wondery, this is episode three of The Woman Who Sold Babies for American Scandal. In our next episode, Georgia Tan continues making thousands of dollars from her illegal adoption scheme as investigators finally uncover the truth about the Tennessee Children's Home Society.
40:44 Lindsay Graham? American Scandal is only possible because of listeners like you, so thank you. And don't miss an episode. Be sure to follow American Scandal on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts. And Audible subscribers can binge new seasons of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts. And to find out more about me, including my other podcasts, my live show, the history tours I'm arranging, and all sorts of other things, go to historyishuman.com. That's historyishuman.com.
41:17 Lindsay Graham? If you'd like to learn more about Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society, we recommend the book The Baby Thief by Barbara Bazant Raymond and Babies for Sale by Linda Tollitt Austin. This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details. And while in most cases we can't know exactly what was said, all our dramatizations are based on historical research. American Scandal is hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsay Graham for Airship. Audio editing by Christian Paraga. Sound design by Gabriel Ghul. Supervising sound designer, Matthew Filler. Music by Thrum. This episode is written and researched by Joel Callen. Fact checking by Alyssa Jung Perry. Managing producer Emily Burke. Development by Stephanie Gins. Senior producers are Andy Beckerman and Andy Herman. And executive producers are William
42:01 Lindsay Graham? Simpson for Airship and Jenny Lauer Beckman, Marshall Louie, and Aaron O'Flaherty for Wondery.
42:16 Speaker 07 Hi, I'm Kenya Paris.
42:17 Speaker 08 And I'm Malcolm Gladwell. We're back for season two of our Audible original podcast, The Unusual Suspects.
42:23 Speaker 07 We'll sit down with extraordinary guests from the worlds of art, film, literature, comedy, and wellness to hear from their unexpected stories of success.
42:30 Speaker 08 And who do we have this season? Well, we'll talk with Grammy winning artist Anderson Paak, athlete Rich Roll, portrait artist Amy Sherald, Oscar winning director Ron Howard, legendary writer David Sedaris, and many more. These conversations are more intimate than last season, wouldn't you say?
42:47 Speaker 07 I would. Listen to season one of The Unusual Suspects wherever you get your podcasts, and sign up for a free trial Audible to listen to season two in the Audible app or by subscribing to Apple Podcasts.
Previous The Woman Who Sold Babies | Supply and Demand | 2 Next The Woman Who Sold Babies | The Cold Hard Hand | 4 Page updated November 3, 2026 · transcript and summary are machine-generated