Woman Jailed in Adoption for Profit Scheme

(Port St. Lucie, Florida) A 62-year-old foster mother, Judith Leekin, has been arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse, witness tampering and possession of fake identification.

Reportedly, Leekin adopted children for profit from New York's foster care system and held them as captives in her home. Police found four teenagers and four mentally disabled adults allegedly malnourished, handcuffed and tethered with plastic ties inside Leekin's home.

Leekin adopted a total of 11 children through four different agencies using at least four aliases. For the children, Leekin received approximately $1.26 million in adoption subsidies according to the NYC Administration for Children's Services.

Leekin was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail with bail set at $4.2 million.