Baby Brokers (1994) - full transcript

MAN:
Come on, baby, shake it!

[ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC PLAYING]

[MEN WHISTLING, LAUGHING]

♪ Come on ♪

[CACKLING]

Wow!

♪ Come here ♪

♪ T-t-touch me ♪

♪ Do as I say ♪

♪ Come on ♪

♪ Cause a great commotion ♪



♪ Touch me ♪

♪ Well ♪

♪ Well ♪

♪ Touch me ♪

MAN:
Nice!

♪ Come on ♪

♪ I need you to touch me ♪

Wow!
See, what'd I tell you?

[MEN EXCLAIMING, LAUGHING,
CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY]

♪ Come on, oh ♪

♪ Well ♪

♪ Mmm ♪

♪ Cause a great commotion ♪

You carry that?
Keep the change.



♪ Come on, I know
You wanna touch me ♪

My loose change.

FRANKIE: Thanks.
♪ Oh ♪

♪ Come here ♪

I'll take that for you.

♪ You know you wanna ♪

♪ Touch me ♪

♪ Come on ♪

♪ I know you want it ♪

Yeah, give me another draft.

Huh? Hey, where you going?

♪ Oh, come here ♪

♪ You know you wanna
Touch me ♪

Ah, come on, come on, come on.

WOMAN [OVER PA]:
Your attention, please.

The Las Vegas Desert Flyer,

services to Barstow,
San Bernardino,

Ontario, Santa Ana
and Anaheim...

You're so special. Mwah!

You're so smart.
You're so sleepy, aren't you?

Hmm.
We'll take care of that.

All right,
look at this one.

"Looking to Adopt:
A mother's love

"and a wonderful future
for your baby.

"A six-year professional,
expenses paid.

Call Debbie collect anytime."

[COOS]
What do you think, peanut?

Hmm? Should we give her a try?

I swear
this baby understands me.

You do!

[CHUCKLES]

Give me a quarter.

Excuse me.
Can you spare some change

so my family can get some food?

We ain't had nothing to eat
since yesterday.

My poor baby's been living
on water and ketchup.

Much obliged.
God bless you, sir.

You too, ma'am.

Why don't you take him?
Oh, come here.

[LAUGHS] Oh!
Whoa, whoa!

Ooh, you big.

[DIAL TONE BUZZES]

[COIN CLINKS]

[DIALING]

[SIGHS]
[LINE RINGS]

Yeah, hi. This is collect
to area code 213.

That's Los Angeles, ain't it?

Oh, I wonder if she's rich.

They're all rich, baby doll.
Rich and desperate.

RANDI:
How far along is she?

DEBBIE:
Five months pregnant,
but they can't keep the baby

because they already have
a boy with Down syndrome,

and it's too much
to handle right now.

Well, they'll be arriving
in 15 minutes.

Let's get a seat.
[SIGHS]

Come on.

So now how long did you two
talk on the phone?

An hour the first time.
Uh-huh.

Forty-five minutes the second.
Good.

She sounded smart, Randi.
We definitely connected.

Now, Debbie, I warned you.

Remember what we talked about?

Don't invest your emotions
too soon.

I know. But this is
the first positive response

I've had in months.
I know,

but sometimes it takes
a little longer.

Every time a birth mother
finds out I'm single,

she loses interest in me.

Leeanne is the first one
who doesn't care.

[LAUGHS]

[AIR BRAKES HISS]

Thank you.

Okay, do I look okay?

Miss America.
Now why do you have to be

so sarcastic all the time?

Get off my case.
I ain't on your case.

I'm just saying you could be
a little nicer is all.

If it weren't for me,
you'd still be

in that crummy trailer park
in Paragould.

You should have asked
for more money.

Three hundred dollars
is just fine.

And she would have sent more.

Yeah, well, next time you're
pregnant, you do the talking.

WOMAN [OVER PA]:
Bus number 12 from Las Vegas,

Bakersfield and Barstow is now
arriving at Gate Number 4.

You may greet your passengers
at this time.

[♪♪]

Leeanne?

Are you Debbie?
Yes.

Oh, my Lord, you look
just like my mama.

Frankie, don't she look
like Mama?

This here's
my husband, Frankie,

and that there's Frankie Jr.
Hi, Frankie.

This is Randi Barrow,
my attorney.

Our attorney,
if it works out.

Hi, Leeanne. Hi, Frankie.

Welcome to Los Angeles.

I just can't get over it.

You're the spitting image
of my mama.

If that ain't a good sign,
I don't know what is.

Well, why don't we pick up
the rest of your luggage

and go somewhere and talk?
What you see is what we got.

My car's right outside.
Let me help you with this.

Thank you.
How was the trip?

It was all right. I hate
the dinky bathrooms, though.

When you're pregnant,
you gotta go a lot,

and when you gotta go,
you gotta go.

Um, that you so much
for the money you sent us.

It was a real lifesaver.
You're welcome.

I wouldn't want you
to sleep on the street.

Well, it wouldn't be
the first time.

When I found out baby Frankie
had Down syndrome,

I was so scared.

I laid in my hospital bed
and I cried and I cried,

and then I started praying.

I said,
"Lord, you have to help me.

"You have to show me
how to deal with this

'cause I'm lost.
I don't know what to do."

And then, almost 24 hours later,

and I mean to the minute,
I turn on the TV

and what do I see?

A show and the star is a boy
with Down syndrome.

Yeah, I've seen that.
There it was, plain as day.

A message from the Lord
telling me not to despair,

that my baby would
amount to something.

Ain't that right, precious?

Woo-hoo, I'm gonna get
fat as a pig.

You already are.
Oh, shut up!

That's his pathetic idea
of humor.

One good thing about being
a single mother

is you don't have to put up
with a man.

Oh, come on, you know
I couldn't live without you.

Stop!
[BOTH LAUGHING]

They do have
their good points, though.

We make a pretty good team,
don't we?

Mmm.

You ever been married?
Nope.

You ever been pregnant?

Yes. But never successfully.

I've had
two ectopic pregnancies.

What's that?
That's where the egg

grows in the fallopian tube
instead of the uterus

and has to be
surgically removed.

And then I had in vitro,

which is when the egg
is fertilized in a dish

and then implanted
in the uterus.

And, uh, but--
But that didn't take.

Who was the father?
I had artificial insemination.

What's the matter,
don't you like men?

Frankie!
DEBBIE: No, it's okay.

It's a fair question.

I like men a lot,

but I've never met one
I wanted forever.

Lord knows
that's the truth.

[CHUCKLES]

You must really want
a child bad

if you're willing
to go through all this.

I want a baby
more than anything

I've ever wanted
in my whole life.

I mean, even after
the doctors told me to give up,

I kept on trying, you know,
until it finally sunk in

that the only way I'm ever
gonna have a child is to adopt.

LEEANNE:
Mmm.

Huh?
DEBBIE: No, thanks.

Come on.
You're such a pig.

Oh, what?
Cheers.

[LAUGHS] Oh!
He doesn't speak sometimes.

[CHUCKLES]

RANDI:
Please understand, however,

if things don't work out, you
won't have to reimburse Debbie

for any of the money
she's spent on you,

but you will be here
in L.A. on your own.

That's fair enough.

[LAUGHS]
Okay.

They're gonna bring
a crib this afternoon.

I'll call a doctor
and make an appointment

as soon as possible.
All right.

Will I see you tomorrow?
No, I have to work,

but I'll call you tomorrow
and we can talk, okay?

Um, listen, Debbie, I might be
jumping the gun here,

because I know we still have
some stuff to work out,

but in my heart of hearts,

I know you're gonna be
the right mama for my baby.

Oh, Leeanne.

Thank you.
No, thank you.

[♪♪]

[PHONE RINGING
AND PEOPLE CHATTERING]

Debbie?
Yeah?

It's yours.
I want it before lunch.

You got a minute?
Sure.

Come on in.

What's up?

I understand that you arranged

some sort of gang meeting
this morning.

It wasn't a gang meeting.

It's just some kids I work with.
Hmm.

Well, one of these kids
that you're working with

is wanted for armed robbery.

He's suspected, John.

No, we know he did it.
No, you don't.

Look, you have no business

interfering with
a criminal investigation.

I just wanted to talk to Victor

and find out why
he hasn't come to group.

You're supposed to talk here.

That's why we set you up
in this office.

Some kids won't come here,
and I have to go to them.

Putting yourself at risk is not
part of a psychologist's job.

My job is to counsel
kids at risk,

and I know
when I'm safe or not.

Something could go down
you don't even know about.

Next thing you know,
you're caught in the crossfire.

You're not my boss!
I was hired by the city.

My job is no concern of yours.
My job is to pick up the pieces,

and I don't wanna have
to pick you up in a body bag!

Oh, God.

I'm...

I'm just-- I'm requesting

that you don't do
something like this again

without talking to me first.
Okay?

Okay.

I'll talk to you first.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

[♪♪]

LEO:
By the way, I had a call from
a young girl's mother yesterday.

Fifteen, failing in school,

arrested twice for shoplifting.
DEBBIE: Mm-hm.

I told her I was all booked up
but that my brilliant daughter,

who also happened
to be my colleague--

No problem.
I'll take care of it,

but ask her to call me tonight.
I won't be in tomorrow.

Oh?
Mmm.

I have to take someone
to the doctor.

Nothing serious, I hope.

She's a pregnant woman
who wants me to adopt her baby.

We're going for a checkup.

What?

Nothing. It's your life.
You're right. It is.

What does your mother
have to say?

I don't know.
I see her this weekend.

I assume you've considered
how this will affect the child.

Millions of women in this
country raise children alone.

Well, that doesn't make it
a good idea.

It didn't stop you
from leaving Mom.

I saw you every weekend.
You still had a father.

It really bothers you

that I'm doing this
without a man, doesn't it?

Sweetheart,
you're a beautiful girl.

There's no reason--
I'm 42

and I don't wanna wait
any longer.

You put up barriers.

You don't allow yourself
to be loved.

It's easy for you to say.

You have no idea
what it's like.

I may never get married.

Can you live with that?

Can you?
Yes.

I can live without a man
if I have to.

But I can't live
without a child.

So have you had
any prenatal care up to now?

Like what?
Like going to the doctor,

having any vitamins?

I've been drinking
a lot of milk.

Oh, good.
And you know

not to smoke or drink?
Oh, sure.

Yeah, every bar from here
to Timbuktu's got a sign

plastered on it reminding you.

Leeanne Dees?
[SIGHS]

Can you come with me?

I'd love to.
Oh, okay.

DOCTOR:
Well, you're pregnant,
young lady.

I'd say about 12 weeks.

Twelve weeks? I thought
you said five months.

Oh, my Lord, is that all?
I must have counted wrong.

I could've sworn
it was longer.

The baby won't be born
for six months?

Gosh, I'm-- I'm so sorry.

It's been really hard lately

with us moving around
and Frankie being out of work.

I guess I got mixed up.

Is she healthy?
Everything looks fine.

But I would recommend
an amniocentesis

because of the Down syndrome.

What's that?
It's a test you have later on

to make sure the baby's okay.

I'm real sorry about--
Oh, it's not your fault.

I'm just a little shocked.
Excuse me a minute.

You owe her nothing.
Leeanne misrepresented herself.

She miscalculated.
But by six months?

I don't know how I'm gonna
support them for that long.

You don't have to.
You and I both know

this could be my only chance.
I don't believe that.

Well, I do.
We'll find somebody else.

Okay, let's discuss
the pros and cons.

You obviously like each
other, you wanna work together.

On the other hand,
it's gonna cost you a lot more

in both time and money
than you planned.

Well, I could work overtime.

Debbie, think carefully before
you make a decision.

If you want my opinion,
I'd say let it go.

I could take some more clients.
You can do better!

Randi, I know
it's not gonna be easy.

But look at it this way.

I was counting on four months,
but now it'll have to be six.

Besides, what's two months

in a whole lifetime?

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

[SIGHS]

RANDI:
This agreement is,

in return for your
financial and medical support,

Leeanne will sign
a nonbinding letter of intent.

This is not consent
for the adoption.

That can't be done
until after the baby is born.

This simply states that,

based on your meeting
with Debbie Freeman,

that you intend,
at this point,

to place your baby up for
adoption with her. Understand?

Debbie will assume custody
the day the baby is born,

but Leeanne has six months
to change her mind,

no reason
or explanation necessary.

It is simply her prerogative.

Don't worry. I wouldn't be here
if I was gonna change my mind.

Furthermore, Debbie cannot
claim repayment

for any of the expenses incurred
while supporting Leeanne.

This money is simply a gift,

and Leeanne has no obligation
to pay it back.

Does anybody have any questions?

Guess not.

I just wanna say
that Frankie and me,

we feel real good about this.

We know we can't afford
another baby right now.

And, uh, we feel because
Debbie wants a baby so much,

she would give our child
the best possible life.

Right, Frankie?
FRANKIE: That's right.

I just wanna thank you
for choosing me

and giving me the honor
of adopting your child.

[LAUGHS]
Well...

I guess that's enough mush
for one day.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Where do I sign?
Right here.

Okay.

There you go.
Signed, sealed and delivered.

Well, congratulations
to you all.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

This is the happiest day
of my life.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Hold on.

Leeanne, how about some...
Like, some carrots?

Oh, I hate carrots.
Okay, forget carrots.

Okay.
These tomatoes don't look bad.

Yuck.

Do you like, uh...

Brussels sprouts?
Double yuck.

Okay, well, then we're gonna
have to have some broccoli.

All right.
This looks good. Here we go.

Okay.
You know, fruits and vegetables

are good for the baby.

Yeah.
How about, um...

Do you like apples?
Not really.

Hey, what's worse than
finding a worm in an apple?

What?
Half a worm.

[BOTH LAUGH]

I knew you'd like that.

SYLVIA:
Let me get this straight.

These people don't want
to keep their child,

so you have to support them.

[SCOFFS]
Why?

That's the way it's done.
It's called open adoption.

Why is a married couple putting
up their baby for adoption?

They already have one child
who's physically challenged,

and they're very poor.

In my day, even poor people
still kept their children.

You want me to tell you
the truth, don't you?

Well, I just
don't approve of this.

I don't need your approval.
I need your love and support.

It's not a hobby, you know.

It's 24 hours a day,
seven days a week

for the next 20 years.

Oh, Mother,
everybody is telling me

the problems
and the hardships.

But there is gonna be
so much love

and joy and happiness.

You have two choices, Mother.

You can be involved
or you can stay away.

Every other decision is mine.

See you later.

Hey, Debbie. How you doing?
Hi.

Listen, Debbie,
could I talk to you a sec?

Why, am I in trouble again?

No, no.
Nothing like that.

Can it wait till Monday?
I'm in a hurry.

Oh, absolutely.
It's no big deal.

Have a nice weekend.
All right, thanks. You too.

[MUSIC PLAYING SOFTLY]

[BABY BABBLING]

Hi, Frankie.

[DOORBELL RINGS]
Hold on, hold on.

You...
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING LOUDLY]

You behave yourself.

♪ Get up in the morning
Round about 10 ♪

♪ Got up the will
And breaking bad again ♪

♪ I signed our name
And that's just straight... ♪

[MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]

Hi! Come on in.

Hi.
You wanna turn that off?

Yeah.
♪ This is what I say ♪

♪ All you people everywhere
This is what-- ♪

[BOOM BOX SHUTS OFF]
[FRANKIE JR. CRYING]

Were you smoking?
No, no, not me. Frankie.

Frankie came in and lit one up
and I made him go outside.

God, I cannot wait
to get out of here.

I'm going stir-crazy!

I have a real nice day
planned for us.

You do? Great, great, great.
Can we get a VCR?

I don't think so.

Randi said it was illegal
for me to pay

for anything more than
living expenses, remember?

Oh, right. That's right.

I just never really
had much growing up,

and I always wanted to--
I always dreamed

of having things
like other people.

[SIGHS]

Leeanne, I'd like for you
to have nice things,

but even if it was legal,

things are pretty tight
for me right now.

It's okay. I understand.

Ooh, boy, if this is me
at four months,

I can't wait to see
what I'm like at nine.

I thought Frankie was gonna
get a job as a handyman.

Well, yeah, it's kind of hard,

with the economy the way it is,
to get a job.

I'll tell you what, why don't
we go buy you some new clothes?

Really?
Mm-hm.

Oh, that's great. I'd love that.

Oh, all right, let's go.
Oh, and you!

Whoo!

Hey, Frankie,
get your behind in here.

[CHUCKLES]

Um, I'm gonna
go get my purse.

Okay.
Okay.

Okay.

LEEANNE:
You know, it's so nice

spending the day
with you like this.

I never had
any girlfriends growing up.

For some dumb reason,
I always liked boys.

I hope you'll consider me
your friend, Leeanne.

I'd really like to be.

Can we do something again
tomorrow?

You know I can't.

Oh, you're always busy.

I'm working.
I know. I just--

I just wanna spend
more time with you.

I'd like to spend
more time with you too.

But you've got Frankie.
Oh, Frankie.

[LAUGHS]

We've been
together for so long,

we have nothing
to talk about anymore.

Would you mind if I sit down?
I'm getting tired.

Oh, of course. Are you okay?
No, I'm fine.

Can I get you something?
No, I'm fine.

Okay. Well, tell me about you
and Frankie. How did you meet?

Well, he kidnapped me.

He kidnapped you?

I knew who he was, though.

See, I'd seen him in this bar.

I was living on the streets
because I'd run away from home.

See, okay, my daddy
divorced my mama.

And in moved in this
19-year-old slut bitch,

and after two years I hated her
so much that I up and left.

See, I looked-- I looked
really great in those days.

I had a great body. You can't
really tell right now, though.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

And I looked much older
than I really was.

How old were you?

I was 13.

Thirteen?Uh-huh.

Yep. So, all right,
so I'm hitching a ride

and Frankie comes
and picks me up.

Only he won't let me go.

See, he says he fell in love
with me right then and there.

So we go
to his mobile home, right,

and he's so sweet
and so nice to me.

And I got nowhere else to go,

so I married him.

When you were 13 years old?

Uh-huh. Yep.

Why didn't you go live
with your mother?

[LAUGHS]

Well, that would have
been a little hard,

because she killed herself.

Oh, Leanne, I'm so sorry.

No, it's okay.
She took a bunch of pills.

Yeah, she tried
over and over again

until she finally got it right.

That must have been
terrible for you.

Yeah, well, I don't think
I'll ever forgive her for it.

You should have
seen her house.

She's got all these rooms
to herself,

and she won't even buy us
a crummy VCR.

Now, that's
what I call stingy.

You just be nice to her,
you hear?

I don't think
she's gonna buy us a car.

Well, she don't have to pay
for it herself.

Maybe Bob and Linda
in Syracuse can help out.

[LAUGHS]

Frankie?

What?

I think maybe
we should keep this one.

No, baby doll, we can't.

Well, how about the next one?

We'll think about it.

Oh, yeah? Mmm.

What?

Come here.
[GIGGLING]

Mmm.

You're a real good girl.
You know that?

Yeah, I know that.

Ooh, real good.

[GIGGLES]

Mmm.
Mmm.

You see this?

Bob and Linda...

they wanna take care of us.

Oh, they do, do they?

Bob and Linda are
just waiting for our call.

[GIGGLES]

Yes, it's collect.

Karen Ann Dees.

Hi.

Is this Linda?

Yeah, my name's Karen Ann Dees.

I'm calling about your ad
in the paper,

about adopting a baby.

Yeah.

Um, about four months pregnant.

Hi.

JOHN:
Hey, how you doing?

Did you wanna
ask me something?

Oh, it wasn't important.

I'm sorry I was rude last week.

Um, I was in a hurry.

Oh, don't--
No, don't worry about it.

It's all right.
Was it about one of the kids?

Actually, uh...

I was gonna ask you to dinner.

Oh.
[CHUCKLES]

It's-- I mean, its no big deal.
It's no big deal.

I thought we could
get together sometime,

but I can see you're busy, so...
Well, but it's-- It's not, um...

The rea--
It's not why you think.

Well, whatever.
You see, I'm in the process

of adopting a baby,

and I spend all my free time
with the birth mother.

You're adopting a baby?

Yes. I'm adopting a baby.

You're kidding me?No. Why?

Oh, my God.

So what?
I mean, you don't approve?

No, no, listen, please, I do.

I just--
I never quite saw you...

No, I mean, listen,
if that's what you want.

It's exactly what I want.

Wow. Well, that...

That's great.

Do you like kids?

Not really.

Oh.
I mean...

Well...

Then we really wouldn't
be compatible, would we?

No, I guess we wouldn't.
Mmm.

Thanks anyway.

You're welcome.

[GROANS SOFTLY]

Not compatible.

I'm gonna die.
Leeanne.

I'm gonna die. Excuse you.
I know you're frightened.

But I promise,
there's nothing to worry about.

I can't do this.
You can't make me.

You have to have the amnio
because of baby Frankie.

You agreed from the beginning.
They're gonna hurt him.

They're gonna stab my baby.
Do you think I would

do anything to harm the baby?

This is a safe,
simple procedure.

Women do it every day.
Here, sit down.

You'll be all right.

Leeanne Dees?

Right here.

Right this way.

Come on. Come on.

Dr. Carlson.

Good morning. I'm Dr. Carlson.
You must be Leeanne.

I don't want no needles.

It's gonna be okay.
We're gonna have to.

But it's a very thin needle

and we'll be swabbing you
with anesthetic

and so if you just...
LEEANNE: No, no, no, no.

...sit down on the table.
No, no. I don't want that.

No, no, that's not--
I'll hold your hand.

I don't want you
to hold my damn hand!

Leeanne!

Leeanne, wait!

Leeanne, please stop.
This is important.

Leeanne, I want to talk to you.

Leeanne, would you stop this?

Don't you wanna know
if your baby's okay?

I don't care. Leave me alone.
I'm not taking that test.

If you don't take that test,
I can't adopt your baby.

I have a right to know if
something's wrong with the baby.

I'll tell you what...

let's go call Frankie
and see what he says, okay?

You take that test,
you hear me?

You shut your big mouth
and you just do as you're told!

I don't wanna hear about you
making any more trouble,

or you're gonna be one sorry
little girl when you get home!

Our Father, who art--

Oh! Oh, oh, oh.

Art in heaven,
hallowed by they name.

Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

I made you a sandwich.

How are your prenatal vitamins
holding out? You need some more?

Look, Leeanne, I know you're
still upset about the amnio.

From your point of view,
you have a right to be.

But from my point of view,
we had an agreement.

[SIGHS]

Listen, if there
was any way in the world

I could have taken that test,
I would have gladly done it.

If there were any way I could
have all your discomfort,

your nausea,
your morning sickness,

nothing would make me happier
in the world. But I can't.

So all I can do is
be supportive

while you're going through it.

Please, it's been three weeks.

Can't we put this behind us
and be friends again?

You don't really want
to be my friend.

[PHONE RINGS]

Hello?

Yes, Dr. Weiss,
she's right here. Hold on.

It's Dr. Weiss.

Hello?

[SIGHS]

Uh-huh.

Mm-hm.

Okay. Thank you, Dr. Weiss.

[PHONE BEEPS]
What?

What did he say?

Leeanne.

It's a boy.

[LAUGHS]

It's a healthy baby boy!

Oh, my God. I can't believe it.

I told you
it was gonna be okay.

Didn't I say
it was gonna be all right?

A healthy baby boy.
Suddenly it seems so real.

Here, touch it.

Now, wait, wait.

[LAUGHS]
It's kicking!

Did you feel it?

I can feel him.
[LAUGHING]

Oh, God.

Hi, little boy.

I'm really looking forward
to meeting you.

[GASPS]

I felt a kick again.
Yeah.

We're gonna have
a wonderful life together.

[♪♪]

[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]

[SIGHS]

LEO:
For all your independence,

I guess you still need a man
for some things.

Oh, Dad, quit giving me
a hard time.

You offered to help.

I still think you should've
put up a basketball net.

He's a newborn baby.

Oh, when is the big day,
by the way?

In about six weeks.

Have you decided on a name yet?

Joseph.

Joseph Ross Freeman.

Joey, for short.

Joseph Ross Freeman.

I like it.

You do?
Yeah. No, I do.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

I'm glad.

[MOBILE PLAYS LULLABY]

There you go.

[♪♪]

LEEANNE:
Yeah, I'm due
in about six weeks.

Yeah. Oh, he's healthy.
He's healthy.

I had one of them amnio things.

Yeah. But, see,
the problem is, Connie,

we're flat broke.

We ain't had nothing to eat
in about two days.

Maybe you could wire us
some money up front?

Say, about $100?

[SNAPS]

[SIGHS]
Or even 200.

I mean, whatever you can spare,
we'd really appreciate it.

CLERK: There's $200, Mr. Dees.
LEEANNE: Five years?

Why, you must really want a baby

if you've been trying
for that long.

I'd love to come meet
you and your husband, Mary,

but the truth is,
we're busted.

I've been stealing
ketchup packets

from fast-food restaurants
to feed my baby

because we can't afford
nothing to eat.

Maybe you can wire us
some money up front?

Sure.

Okay, Mary.

Ten minutes?

I'll talk to you then.

Okay.

She wants us
to speak to her attorney.

Let's go.

[IMITATES MOTOR RUMBLING]
[CHUCKLING]

Oh, great.

Just who I'm not
in the mood for.

Now shut up
and be sociable.

Hey, Debbie. How you doing?

This way,
when the baby gets older,

he can look at the video
and get an idea

of who you and Frankie are
and where he comes from.

Paragould, Arkansas.
Armpit of the nation.

[CHUCKLES]

Frankie, where's that bottle?

FRANKIE:
Hold your horses.

[CRYING]
Shh. It's okay, baby.

Frankie Jr.

Listen, I-I hate
to ask you this,

but, um, you know, Frankie
had to go to the dentist today

and we used up
all our food money.

Oh, Leeanne, not again.

I'm sorry.
But dentists are expensive.

DEBBIE:
It's not just the dentist.

It's $100 here and $100 there.

I have given you
almost $1000 extra.

Hey, we feel real bad about
asking again.

I mean, we've applied
for Medi-Cal

and welfare and food stamps.

None of it came through.

What do you want us to do?
You want us to starve?

Of course not.

[STAMMERS]

I'm doing this for you.

My feet are swollen,
me back's killing me,

and I can't sleep
a wink at night.

Now, I don't think
it's very fair of you

to make me feel guilty about
Frankie having a cavity.

How much do you need?

About $150.

Come here, buddy.

[SIGHS]
All I have is 75.

I'll give you
the rest tomorrow.

Do you still feel like
doing the video?

Of course we do.

This how you want us?

That's just perfect.

Here's the keys
and the pink slip.

There you go.
Don't forget.

You gotta go down to the DMV and
get it registered in your name.

Right.
Adiós.

Whoo! Now, this is
what I call class.

What do think, peanut?
Our very own convertible.

[ENGINE STARTS]
All right!

The Dees family
got itself some wheels!

[TIRES SCREECH]

DEBBIE: Hi, Biggie.
[DOG BARKS]

Did you miss me? Don't jump.

[SIGHS]

ALL:
Surprise!

[ALL CHEERING, LAUGHING]

We got you!
Did you see her face?

We got the baby shower!
We got you!

My God. Oh, you did--

This means so much to me,
I can't tell you.

Thank you so much.

So...
So Mom didn't make it, huh?

No, no.
No, but everyone else is here.

Yes. Oh, Dad, thank you.

[LAUGHS]

[ALL SPEAKING EXCITEDLY]

John.

Good morning.
Oh, hey, morning.

Hey, how are you?

I am so excited.

[GIGGLES]
That's nice.

Any particular reason?
Baby clothes.

Baby clothes?
Yes.

I have my diaper bag,
my crib covers.

Diapers? I don't believe this.
My car seat.

Please, don't...
One month from today,

I'll be a mother.

You know, this part of you
really surprises me.

Really? Why?
What? No, it does.

I don't know.
You gotta give up a lot

to take on
this kind of responsibility.

You've thought this out, I know.

I don't feel like
I'm giving up anything.

The baby's not even born yet,

and I already feel like
I've gotten so much.

Huh.
Besides, what else is there?

I know. It-- It's...

I don't know. It's great.

[CHUCKLES]

Bye.
Yeah, have a good one.

I'll talk to you...

[SIGHS]

[KNOCKS]

I'm coming.

[SIGHS]

You're late.

The shower was yesterday.

I have to talk to you.

Mother, you've made it very
clear how you feel about this.

[SIGHS]
You don't have any idea
how I feel.

I'm sure you're gonna tell me.

I realized
why I'm angry with you.

You think because you have
a little money

and an extra bedroom,

that being a single mother
will be so easy.

[SCOFFS]
Well, it's not.

In case you've forgotten,
I've been there.

And when you've been
working all day long

and you're up
with a sick child all night

and you don't have time
to take a shower

and you're so exhausted
you're afraid to drive

because you'll have an accident,

maybe then you'll have
a little more respect

for what I tried to...

For what I did for you.

I don't disrespect you.

Oh, please.

You make this decision...

You make this decision
without discussing it with me.

You trivialize any advice
that I may have to offer.

You don't give me advice.

You criticize.

And the truth is, you are still
angry at Dad for leaving.

And just because he's decided
to support me on this,

you have decided not to!
That's ridiculous.

Then what is it, Mom?
Are you worried

that I'm gonna do a better job
of raising my child

than you did of raising yours?

[♪♪]

LEEANNE:
She's just not right.

I don't feel comfortable
about her adopting my baby.

Why not?

Well, first of all,
she lied.

She's single, but she said
she was gonna get married,

and now it turns out she ain't.

That upset me because
I don't think it's right

for my baby to grow up
without having a daddy.

And second, she didn't
really like me.

She never spent
any time with me.

And she'd get really mad
if I ever brought it up.

That hurt my feelings,
you know? Um...

I just wanted
a little friendship.

And it got me to thinking

that maybe she'd neglect my baby
the way she was neglecting me.

Well, did she pay
all your expenses?

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Not really.

She kept us
on a starvation budget,

which was impossible to live on.

[SIGHS]
She's counting every penny.

We don't have
any money left right now,

but I'm really scared
to ask Debbie...

because I know she'll get nasty.

I just really wanna find
somebody else. I really do.

You poor girl.
Of course you do.

Do you have an attorney, Karen?

Oh, just Randi,
but she's never on my side.

Randi Barrow?
She's a colleague of mine.

No. No, that's not her name.

Maybe it was Janet, Janice or...

No, it's Janet. Yeah. Janet.

That's her name. I--
Randi's somebody else.

I don't know, my--
My brain just turns to mush

whenever I'm pregnant.

[LAUGHS]

I also get real hungry.
Can I get another piece of pie?

Of course you can. Waitress?
Thank you.

[PHONE RINGS]

Hello?
RANDI: Hello, Leeanne.

It's Randi.

I just spoke with Polly O'Neal.
What's going on?

I have a right
to change my mind.

I don't like Debbie.

Why?
What has she ever done to you?

I don't like her. She's cold.

It's not against the law.

I'm just protecting
the rights of my unborn child.

You call this right? Lying
to another couple, lying to us.

Do you have any idea
how unethical this is?

You made a commitment.

If you're worried
about the money,

the other couple
will pay her back.

Come off of it, Leeanne!

You really think
the other couple

is gonna reimburse Debbie?

What about the heartache?
What about her dreams?

She supported you
for almost six months.

Leeanne?

Damn it, Leeanne!

[♪♪]

I don't understand. Why?

What did I ever do to her?
Just calm down.

We'll talk to her.
Leeanne!

Leeanne!

Leeanne!

They're gone, aren't they?

Gone!

Leeanne?

[YELLS]

No!

She didn't take
any of these vitamins.

Oh, look, I found something.

What?

Receipts, paper, diary.

A diary?

"Birthdays to remember:

"Frankie, Frankie Jr.,

Sandy, David, Jessica,
Crystal, Chaira and Cody."

I wonder who they are?

Oh, my God, look at this.

Look at November 5th.

"Pack things."

That's next Monday.

[SIGHS]

She was planning
to leave all along.

Little hustler.
She conned me! She used me!

That bitch!

Here's a car registration
from the DMV

in the name
of Karen Leeanne Baker.

What? They bought a car?

Or should I say I bought a car?

Oh, here's a car repair bill
for $165.

Oh, my God. Look at this.

"Debbie and Harry, married eight
years, trying for six years."

And a number.
"Marsha and Richard,

married for seven years,
trying for four years."

And a number.
[GASPS]

You think Leeanne contacted
all these people?

There's only one way
to find out.

God, there must be
a dozen or more names.

And she asked for how much?
Uh-huh.

Did she ever call back?

And she said her name was...
Kayla Leigh Harris.

Okay, Susan,
that you for talking to me.

Yes. Yes, it's been very hard.

You too. Thanks.

Leeanne contacted every name
on this list

about adopting her baby
and asked them for money.

I don't know what to say.

In five years
of working with adoption,

nothing close to this
has ever happened.

This woman Susan said
she called her two months ago.

Said they were living
out of their car

and eating out of garbage cans,

so the woman wires her
$200 to Las Vegas

and then never hears
from them again!

No matter what it takes,
I'm gonna make up for this.

We'll start over.
I can't.

Yes, you can.

You do whatever you have to do.

Because in the end,
I promise you, it's worth it.

That was my baby!
And now he's gone.

I feel like somebody died.

[♪♪]

Do you have any idea
where she could have gone?

No. But there must be
some way to trace her.

I mean, credit cards,

Social Security numbers,
something.

John, you have to find her.
I want to press charges.

According to you,
she legally has the right

to change her mind, right?
Yes.

But she was soliciting funds

and offering her baby
up for adoption

while Debbie supported her.
She violated her agreement.

She took money
under false pretenses.

She lied to me.
I...

I've never heard
of anything like this.

Let me see what I can do,
all right?

[SIGHS]

Okay, Bill.
All right, thanks a lot.

What did he say?

There's not much information
on this crime.

I talked to one detective
down in Orange County

who says at best
this could be a misdemeanor.

A misdemeanor?
Shoplifting is a misdemeanor.

I don't know what to tell you.
So now what?

There are no precedents
for this. I'm not sure.

This woman should be arrested.
She should be in jail.

I agree with you.
Then why don't you do something?

I am trying to do something.

But the laws in an open adoption
favor the birth mother.

Leeanne has figured out how
to twist them to her advantage.

And there's no recourse,
is that what you're saying?

I don't know enough.
No one knows anything!

This is a total waste of time.
What's the point?

They're gone
and there's nothing we can do!

Debbie.
Leeanne conned us,

and she got away with it.

[DOOR OPENS]
[DOG BARKS]

Hi, Biggie. How you doing?

[♪♪]

[INHALES DEEPLY]

[TAPS KEYS]

[SNIFFLES]

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

[SNIFFLES]

[SIGHS]

[CRYING AND SNIFFLING]

[MUFFLED SOBBING]

[CLOCK TICKING]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

[BARKING]

[SIGHS]

Leeanne Dees is blacklisted.

What?

Can I come in?
Sure. Blacklisted?

How you feeling?
You doing all right?

What are you talking about?

By the American Association
of Adoption Attorneys.

It turns out
she's tried this scam

with maybe two other babies.
Two other babies?

She finally does
adopt them out,

but first she takes the money

and changes her mind
at the last minute,

same way she did with you.
Wait a minute.

Are you telling me

that she had two other babies
she did this with?

Yeah it looks like it. Now--
Oh, my God.

I've got an idea, but I'm gonna
need your help on this.

How?

We've gotta go public.

I know this guy
over at Hard Copy.

Forget it.
Listen, wait, Debbie.

I'm not gonna broadcast this
to the entire world.

This is my private business.
We've got to put some teeth

into this case!

If we can locate
more of the victims

by putting you on television,

then we can boost
this case to a felony.

Okay. I'm listening.

Okay, now, we've gotta prove

that Leeanne knowingly
took money for her baby

from two parties
in different states.

That's interstate fraud,
which is a federal offense.

I know what interstate fraud is.
It could put her away

for a couple of years.
Well, what about Frankie?

[SIGHS]
We can't touch Frankie.

Oh!
She made all the calls.

Everything is in her name.
Why doesn't that surprise me?

Yeah, I know.

What do you say?

You want a beer?

Yeah, I...

This TV guy is not a sleazeball
or anything, is he?

[LAUGHS]
Tom Colbert?

No, he's a good guy.
You can trust him.

[SCOFFS] It's kind of hard
for me to trust anyone

after what I've been through.
Thanks.

The great judge of character
that I am.

Don't blame yourself.
[SCOFFS]

I'm a psychologist.
I should have known better.

I should have seen through her.

She manipulated me
from day one

for everything she could get.

I'll bet she's doing the same
thing to someone else right now.

She's gonna keep on doing it

unless somebody stops her.

Call him.

What, now?

Yes. Right now.

All right.

[DIALING]

Tom?

John Kurland.
Sorry to wake you.

[CREW SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

RANDI:
I talked to everyone
that Leeanne contacted.

Most are willing
to send written statements

of what she said
and how much she asked for.

Good.
Great.

We're about ready to roll.

Do you have that video
you made of Leeanne and Frankie?

Oh, yes. Here you go.
Great, thanks.

Um, you know, listen,

I wish we had some lead as to
where Frankie and Leeanne are.

You know, say,
Arkansas or Tennessee.

This way I can
saturate the local media

and maybe
someone will spot them.

I wonder. Hmm.

I wonder if they could be
in Las Vegas.

Why?
Well, Leeanne initially

contacted me from there,

and she had money wired
to Vegas.

They must have been
there recently.

Yeah.
Huh. So...

That's it.
That's their home base, Vegas.

When all else fails,
they run back there.

Vegas. Good.

[BABY COOING]

Oh, baby. Come on.
Come on, let's go.

Come on, Leeanne.
We got work to do.

Frankie, tell your mama
to move her big behind.

Would you shut up?
I don't have a big behind.

FRANKIE:
Whoo!

DEBBIE:
Carmen, thank you
for telling us how you feel.

It took a lot of courage.

Okay, girls, remember,
everything in this room

stays in this room, right?
ALL: Yeah.

Okay, and 11:15 next week.
See you then. All right?

[OVERLAPPING FAREWELLS]

Bye, Taneesha.
Bye.

Okay. See you all later.

Bye.

[SIGHS]

Bye.

So, Julie, did you find out
from the clinic?

They're gonna let me know
on Friday.

All right.
Let me know what's up.

Okay. Thank you.
All right, honey. Bye.

[SIGHS]

[♪♪]

[SIGHS]

Mom.

What are you doing here?

Honey, I'm so sorry
about what happened.

I just had to tell you
in person.

Mom, I wanted
that baby so much.

[SNIFFLING]

I know, honey.

Honey, I know.

[SIGHS]

MEDIC:
Coming through.

[STAFFERS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Can I help you?
Yeah, I need a doctor. Fast.

Just fill this out, please.

Sections one, two, four
and seven.

We need a doctor now! Please!

False labor pains?

You mean I have to go through
all of this again?

I'm afraid so, Mrs. Dees.

Unless you wanna stay
permanently pregnant.

Oh, no way. This has been the
longest nine months of my life.

Do you mind
if I rest here a bit?

Oh, sure. Take your time.

Stay as long as you like.
Thanks, doc.

Say, before you go,
can I ask you something?

Sure.

Well, we don't have
much money left.

[CHUCKLES]

In fact,
we're almost broke.

And the bottom line is,
we can't afford another baby.

We were on our way to Tennessee
to give it up for adoption.

But we're thinking maybe we
ought to just do it right here.

So my question is,
you being a doctor and all,

um, do you know of nice couple
that might want to adopt

a healthy baby boy?

Now, how do you know
it's a boy?

Well, I had all them
fancy tests in California

when I was on Medi-Cal.

You know, the am--
Amnio and things.

The baby doesn't have
Down syndrome,

if that's what
you're worried about.

As a matter of fact, my wife's
sister and her husband

are desperate to adopt a child.

Are they nice people?

Because that's all I care about
in the whole world.

They're great.
They're very caring individuals.

Well, they'd have to pay
for my medical expenses.

I don't think
that'd be a problem.

And living expenses too.
I'm sure that'd be fine.

Um...
We're staying at the Pink Motel.

LEEANNE:
Yeah, Pink Motel.

Maybe you just have them
give us a call there.

Maybe we can all go
for dinner or something.

You can come along,
bring your wife.

They're not gonna believe this.
Thank you.

Thank you.
You take care.

Thanks.

[SIGHS]

You did it again.
Whoo-ee!

You have Leeanne's other names?
Yes, yes.

Um, we checked
all of her aliases.

Karen Leeanne Dees,
Karen Baker, Leeanne Baker,

Kayla Leigh Harris.
[LAUGHS] Jeez!

Leeanne has no criminal record
here or in Nevada.

That only means she was
never convicted of anything.

Right.
Well, at this point,

it all depends
on who comes forward

after the publicity breaks.
Someone's gotta come forward.

I've covered the local media.

I've got the L.A. papers,
the Vegas papers.

And if I get back to the office,

I'm sure I can finagle
some radio time, all right?

Great, man.
Good. Okay, good work, guys.

Thanks so much, Tom. I can't--
Can't thank you enough.

You've done so much for us.
Oh, well--

Oh, look, Debbie, thanks.
You hang in there, okay?

Okay.
And I'll call you tomorrow.

John.
Bye.

Take care.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[SIGHS]

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

You're right. He's a nice guy.

Yeah, he is. He is.

Well, I guess I better
clean up a little bit here.

Oh, listen, here, let me help.

Let me help. I'll get that.
That's all right.

[DOG WHINING]

Oh, look, somebody wants in.

Hey there.
[BARKING]

Hey, come on in.
You lonely out there, huh?

Here. Oh, what a sweetie.
What's his name?

Biggie.
Biggie.

Hi, Biggie. Yeah.

Oh.
You like dogs,

but you don't like kids.

I never said that.
Yes, you did.

No, I didn't.
Yes, you did.

Hey, could we please have
a normal conversation for once

instead of arguing?

Okay.

What I meant was
I didn't want any kids.

I man, I think--
I think they're great.

They're just not for me.

I was never
very big on families.

Lousy childhood, huh?

Yeah. Something like that.

Mine wasn't bad...

just didn't have much fun.

I guess some parents
don't think it is fun.

[SIGHS]

I would have.

[♪♪]

You know,
you can always try again.

I don't think so.
Come on.

You can't give up just
'cause of one bad experience.

One? I had 10 bad experiences.

I had 20.
I have done everything

physically, emotionally
and financially possible

to have a child.

And I failed.

Yeah, but if you really want
something--

Don't say that to me.

Don't, don't.

I have never

wanted anything
in my life more...

but I have to face reality.

The reality is...

no child for me.

[SNIFFLES]

[GROANING]
Good! That's it, Karen.

DOCTOR: One more push.
Oh, God, I wanna die!

Sweet Jesus, I wanna die!
Oh, you're doing great, Karen.

Come on, come on.
Just one more push.

SCOTT: Come on, Karen.
Good. There you go.

[GROANS LOUDLY]
Good. Now just one more.

Just one more.
Frankie, I hate you!

Come on, just one more.
I can see his head.

There he is. He's on his way.
[SCREAMS]

Yes, there he is!
I wanna hold him.

[WAILING]

Oh!

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Let me see my baby.
I wanna hold my baby.

I wanna hold my baby.

Of course. It's all right.
Yes, of course. Good.

Hey.

[COOING]
He's perfect.

Hello, darling.
[CRYING]

Hey, baby boy.

I wanna take him
just overnight, say goodbye.

Would that be okay?

Oh, my little precious.

SCOTT:
Sure. I...
I guess it'll be okay.

[LAUGHS]

Hey, baby boy.

I just wanted to hold him first.

Go ahead. You hold him.

[♪♪]

Hello?

Anybody home?

Well, maybe they're at
the coffee shop next door.

Oh, that's it.

MANAGER: Well, hi.
Hi.

Can I help you, folks?
Yes.

Uh, we're looking
for Karen and Charles Dees.

The Dees left
about two hours ago.

What?
There must be some mistake.

I'm afraid not.
They packed their car

and left early this morning.

What do you mean, they left?
They've got our baby.

What do you mean, your baby?

We're adopting their baby.

She just wanted to take him
for a day to say goodbye.

Okay, okay. I'm sorry.
They're gone.

I'm-- I'm sorry.
Where did they go?

Sorry, ma'am. I don't know.

[BRAKES SQUEAL]

No! You're crazy!
You know that!

You should have given them
that baby!

Know what I ought to do?
I ought to walk out

and never come back.
Oh, go right ahead!

I gave away enough
of my babies, Frankie Dees,

and now it's my turn.

This one's mine
and I am keeping him.

You understand?
With or without you!

What are you looking at?

Good evening. I'm Terry Murphy.

There's big money
in the baby business.

People are
so desperate to adopt,

they'll do almost anything.

And in the process,
they get ripped off.

I want a child
more than anything.

It's amazing that people
can actually scam you,

the way they scammed me.

Debbie Freeman
is a single woman

who desperately
wants a baby.

When she found out
she was infertile,

she decided
she would look into adoption.

So with the help of her lawyer,
she took out a newspaper ad

asking to adopt a baby.
Then she got a call.

I had put in
a special phone line

and a special phone machine
just for these calls,

and when I came home from work

and saw
that little red light on,

I just almost couldn't
contain myself.

Um, we talked
several times over the course.

I think it was--
It was Saturday

when she finally called me.

Um, we liked each other
right away.

And she told me that she had
a 1-year-old child and...

Laurie, get in here!

...and needed money
immediately

to come to Los Angeles.

I told you he's weird.

TERRY:
These people,

Leeanne and Frankie Dees,

took Debbie to the cleaners.

Listening to the heartbeat...

TOM:
And you're calling
from where, sir?

Could you hold on for a minute?
Thanks.

Tom Colbert. Yes, uh,
please, sir, hold on.

I'll be right with you.
Please hold on. Thank you.

Sir, would you be willing to
make a statement to the police?

JOHN:
Yes, and when
did they contact you last?

Yes. And how much
did you send them?

DEBBIE:
And the whole ordeal
was really a scam.

She knew how much
I loved kids and...

And how desperately
I wanted a baby.

I mean, my whole life
has been children. I...

Children are the world to me,

and she knew that.

That's, uh...

I think that's what made me
so vulnerable.

Well, when you dream about
something, it's like...

It's like something
that you've waited for

for a long time and...

Somebody just pulls the rug
out from under you...

it's over.

And everybody tries
to make you feel better.

Your friends, your family,
but...

[SNIFFLING]

...there's nothing
anyone can really do.

Because I know I would be
a very good mother.

It just doesn't seem like
it should be this hard.

John, good news.
I've got the doctor

who delivered Leeanne's baby
on the other line.

And we were right.

They went right back
to Las Vegas.

But, um, the bad news is
they scammed another couple,

and they disappeared
right after the baby was born.

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

Leeanne?

Hey, Sister Elizabeth,
how are you?

Leeanne, what does this mean?

There must be
some kind of mistake.

I-I never tried to sell my baby.

Oh, I was sure of that.

But how did they get your name?

I-- I don't know.

There was this one woman
who wanted to adopt my baby,

but I told her no.

Maybe you should call the
paper and straighten this out.

This is a terrible accusation.

She's persecuting me
'cause I wanna keep my baby.

There's a detective's name
here, John Kurland.

Maybe you should call him
and explain what happened.

Maybe she's right, hon. Maybe
we ought to do that right now.

You can use the phone
in my office.

Thank you, Sister.

You know what, I gotta--
I gotta change him. He's wet.

I'm gonna change him first,

then I'm gonna come by.
Fine.

Thank you.
See you in a few minutes.

FRANKIE:
Come on.

How'd they know
we were in Las Vegas?

Frankie, I'm scared.
It's a big country.

They ain't gonna find us.
[ENGINE STARTS, REVVING]

[TIRES SCREECH]

We've gotten calls
from ten states already.

You won't believe
what we found out.

What?

This is the sixth baby
Leeanne has put up for adoption.

The sixth?
Well, really the seventh

if you count baby Frankie.

When he was born with Down
syndrome, the couple backed out.

What happened to all the kids?

Some couple
finally adopts them,

but not before dozens of others

are scammed out
of thousands of dollars.

Look at this.
These are copies of checks

made out to Leeanne or one
of her aliases from all over.

Some of them are ten years old.

We have a tremendous case
of interstate fraud here.

Remember the list of names
we found in--?

In the diary.
Mm-hmm.

Those were the names
of all her children.

Probably. Whom she and Frankie
sold to the highest bidder.

I think it's time
we called in the FBI.

Detective Kurland?
Yeah.

I'm Federal Agent Dick Plager.
Right.

Hi. Debbie Freeman.
This is Debbie Freeman.

You're familiar
with her story?

I talked to the motel manager.

The doctor and the Tillmans
are meeting us here.

Okay, great.
Why don't we wait inside?

Did they make
any long-distance calls?

Yes. Most of them were collect.
The others, they paid for.

How'd they pay?
Did they ever use checks?

[PHONE RINGING]
Excuse me just a minute.

Did they ever mention anything
about why they were in Vegas?

I don't think so.
What about a timetable?

How long they were staying?
Where they were going?

When she first came in, Karen--

Or Leeanne,
whatever her name is,

she said they were
on their way to Tennessee

to put the baby
up for adoption.

Detective Kurland.
Yeah?

You have a call.
Okay, thanks.

Um, excuse me.
I'll be right back.

SCOTT:
We gave them close to $2000.

The hospital bill
was another 2500.

It's not the money.

We just feel so violated.

Sister Elizabeth, Detective
John Kurland from the LAPD.

I understand
you've been trying to reach me.

I found these slips of paper
in their room.

They seemed like
such a lovely family.

And that baby
was such an angel.

I just couldn't believe the
things in the paper were true.

Numbers in Michigan and
New York.

Looks like they're still at it.

Did Frankie or Leeanne mention

where they were headed next?

Well, when they first arrived,

they mentioned
they were on their way

to see some family in Tennessee.

Tennessee. Okay.
Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Sister.

That's the same thing
Leeanne told the doctor.

I'll fax their description
to the state police

and our office in Tennessee.
Great.

I know, I know. Now, come on,
you just take a bite.

We've gotta finish this, okay?

Bonnie, please.
Yucky!

Yucky!
[SIGHING]

Bonnie!
Good evening. I'm Terry Murphy.

Carly, let me try.

--told you the story
of Debbie Freeman

and adoption fraud mom
Leeanne Dees,

who took Debbie's money
while she made deals

with dozens of other people
to adopt her baby.

There she is, there she is.
That's her.

I gave them almost $10,000
over six months.

Tonight we have
new information...

She looks really nice,
don't you think?

DEBBIE:
I can't see, I can't imagine
that she could have...

Yeah, I guess.

...knowing my history...
Angie, she really loves kids.

She'd be a good mom.

DEBBIE:
So one night I snuck out
my bedroom window.

My boyfriend was waiting on
the corner with his motorcycle.

I ran away for three days.
JOHN [CHUCKLES]: Oh, gee!

Well, then what happened?
My dad nailed my window shut.

I said, "But, Dad,
what if there's a fire?"

He said, "That's not the fire
I'm worried about putting out."

Wild child, huh?

Anyway, so I lived with
my dad for a while,

and he almost
analyzed me to death.

Then I moved out.
I've been on my own ever since.

Well.
Tell me about your family.

[CHUCKLES]

I don't have one.
What do you mean?

Well, my mom died
when I was about 8.

Oh, no.
And, uh,

my dad couldn't take care of me,

so he put me in a boys' home.

That's terrible.
Oh, it wasn't really that bad.

I mean, it's probably better
than staying with him. He was...

He was-- He was
really a bad drunk, you know?

Well did he ever
come to see you?

Once in a while.
You must have been very lonely.

How long were you there?

Until I turned 18.

Oh.
And then I joined the Army.

You're never lonely in the Army.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

And then, I got--
I got married.

Mm-hm.
Then divorced two years later.

Oh, I see.
And then I went

to the police academy,
and, uh...

here I am.

So that's why
you don't like families.

You never had one.

Well...

from what I've observed,

I'm not sure I missed much.

Every kid needs
and wants a family.

Mmm.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

I bet you were
a real cute little boy too.

Oh, yeah, you think so?

Yeah.
Yeah?

I do.
[CHUCKLES]

So if you'd had the chance...

would you have adopted me?

In a minute.
Oh, yeah?

Mm-hm.

[LAUGHS]

What about now?

Very funny.

Look, uh...

it doesn't have to take
a minute. It can be longer.

[♪♪]

[WHISPERS]
John.

[WHISPERS]
What?

It's just, you know,

this isn't...

This isn't what?

This isn't...

I just... I just
don't wanna start something

that doesn't work out again.

We've heard from the Memphis
police and the Tennessee Bureau.

Leeanne and Frankie
are in Memphis.

RANDI: Oh!
Calls have come in

from all over the town
from people who recognized her.

What does it mean?
Well, it's tricky.

Leeanne's never
broken the law in Tennessee.

But John heard from the sheriff
of her hometown in Paragould.

She's wanted
in Arkansas for grand theft.

RANDI: What?
And for skipping bail

on a forgery charge.

Now, our only hope is that
the Tennessee Bureau

can get Leeanne
into jail on something

while the FBI here
builds its case against her.

Yeah, but getting extradition
papers can take weeks.

Tell me about it. But we're
putting the pressure on.

Do we know where they are
in Memphis?

Not yet.
Well, what if they leave

before we catch up with them?

Well, our only hope
is that they don't.

One step closer. Yeah.
Oh!

I know what you're gonna say,
and I'm sorry.

But all those lies
in the newspapers,

they just scared us.

I mean, you are
the only one I can turn to.

We sold our car for food money,

and now that's all gone,
and my...

My babies are hungry.

Where are you, dear?

Uh, we're in a motel.

Can you wire us
some money, please?

Sure. Why don't you give me
your address?

I'm in the May-Lane Motel
in Memphis.

[♪♪]

[TIRES SCREECH]

[HELICOPTER WHIRRING OVERHEAD]

Ready?

FBI. Leeanne Dees,
you're under arrest.

No, you--
You can't take my baby.

Give me back my baby!

You have a right
to remain silent.

I didn't do nothing wrong!

Anything you say
can and will be used against you

in a court of law.

You have the right
to have an attorney present

before we question you. If
you cannot afford an attorney...

[BABY CRYING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER
OVER POLICE RADIO]

[♪♪]

[DEBBIE SIGHS]

[SIGHS]

[PHONE RINGS]
I'll get it.

If that's another reporter,
I'm not home.

Hello, Freeman residence.

Um, hi. Is this Debbie Freeman?

No, it's not.
Who's calling, please?

Um, my name is Carly Glenn.
May I speak with her, please?

Are you a reporter?

This is very important

and it's, uh,
very personal.

Just a minute.

She says it's very important
and very personal.

Hello? Yes, it is. Uh-huh.

And I'm calling you
from Washington State.

Uh, I've been following
your story on Hard Copy.

I'm so sorry
about what you've been through.

Uh-huh.

Is this some kind of joke?

Are you--?

Are you sure you know
what you're saying?

Hold on a minute.
Sure. Sure.

RANDI: What?
It's some girl from Washington

named Carly Glenn.

She's been following
my story on television

and she's pregnant,
she wants me to adopt her baby.

Are you serious?
What do I say?

What do you want?

[SIGHS]

I can't.
I can't go through this again.

Carly, I really
appreciate this, but--

Wait!

Ask her to hold on for just--

Just a minute.
Can you hold on, please?

Sure.
[MUTE BUTTON CLICKS]

What?

Don't you think you're being
a little bit hasty?

Yeah, your mother's right.

Maybe you should
think about it.

Don't tell me that.

Listen, I can't
go through this again.

Losing a baby, no.
But getting a baby?

You haven't tried that one yet.

Mother, I can't believe
you're saying this.

We don't even know
who this person is!

So find out. Talk to her for
a while. See what she's like.

Maybe you could fly out
and meet her.

Fly out? That's ridiculous.

I don't wanna deal with this!

Hello, Carly, listen, I wanna--
Damn it, Debbie!

Don't you understand? Someone's
giving you a second chance.

[♪♪]

Hi.
Hi.

Debbie, I'm Carly.

Nice to meet you.

And this is my daughter,
Bonnie.

Hi, Bonnie.

I was 19 when I got
pregnant with Bonnie.

My boyfriend and I went together
through high school,

and I just assumed
that we would get married.

But when I got pregnant,

all of a sudden
he changed his mind.

I didn't want
to have an abortion, so...

I mean, I love her
and everything. I do.

But it's just really hard
doing it alone.

I hope you know
what you're getting into.

I think so.

Does your boyfriend
pay any child support?

No, no. He...

He joined the Marines
and left town.

I don't even know
where he is anymore.

Oh.
When I got pregnant again,

I just freaked out.

I used birth control
and everything. I...

I guess I'm just
really fertile.

Who is the father?

Just this guy I know.

It wasn't serious
or anything.

I probably shouldn't
have slept with him,

but sometimes you get lonely,
you know.

Oh, sure.

How does he feel
about you giving the baby up?

Oh, he's glad.

He told me straight out
that he doesn't want kids

and not to count on him.
Mm.

I know that I cannot handle
another baby right now.

Carly, I don't have
a lot of money.

That's okay.

You have to be sure.

You have to be
absolutely positive

that you want me
to adopt your baby.

If you have any doubts about me
or adoption in general--

Debbie, I have no doubts.

And I am not
going to change my mind.

[SOFTLY]
Okay.

I'm not.

[♪♪]

RANDI:
I'll come get you.

CARLY:
Okay.

RANDI:
Come on out.

Debbie's fixed up
the guestroom for you.

Anything you need, just ask.

DEBBIE:
Carly, be careful.
It's slippery out here.

CARLY:
It is. I'm okay.

DEBBIE:
Oh.

[BABY WAILING]

DEBBIE:
Oh!

[SOFTLY]
You take her?

[DEBBIE CHUCKLES]

Oh, oh...

I got you. I got you.

I got you, I got you.

[GASPS]

Oh!

[CRYING]

[SNIFFLES]

You wanna hold her?

Oh, come on.
Oh, now, come on.

I'm gonna drop her.
No, you won't.

I don't know
how to hold a baby.

There's only one rule
about holding a baby.

What's that?
Love.

[SCOFFS]

Oh, hello, sweetheart.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Come here, you.

[♪♪]

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

♪ Hush-a-bye, don't you cry ♪

♪ Go to sleep, little baby ♪

♪ When you wake
You shall take ♪

♪ All the pretty little horses ♪

♪ Blacks and bays
Dapples and grays ♪

♪ Coach and six little horses ♪

♪ Hush-a-bye ♪

♪ Don't you cry ♪

♪ Go to sleep, little baby ♪