American Scandal: The Woman Who Sold Babies | Sitting on a Goldmine | Episode 3

Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host: Lindsay Graham

Introduction and Context

In Episode 3 of American Scandal, titled "The Woman Who Sold Babies | Sitting on a Goldmine," host Lindsay Graham delves deeper into the dark history of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society (TCHS). This episode uncovers how Tann exploited the foster care and adoption system to profit illegally from the vulnerable, setting the stage for a sprawling scandal that would leave lasting scars on countless families.

Georgia Tann's Rise and Exploitation

By the late 1930s, Georgia Tann had firmly established herself as a leading figure in adoption circles through the Tennessee Children's Home Society. While publicly advocating for placing children from impoverished backgrounds into wealthy families, Tann began inflating adoption fees and redirecting funds for personal gain. This shift not only increased her wealth but also entrenched her control over the adoption process.

Notable Quote:
"It's a brisk business. And one more baby to deliver means one more payment to collect." [00:04:00]

The Case of Mary Lee Calhoun

In the summer of 1933, 24-year-old waitress Mary Lee Calhoun faced a dire situation when she needed to temporarily place her four children in foster care due to her impending hospitalization. Trusting TCHS, Calhoun signed relinquishment papers, unaware that her children would be sold for profit. While three of her sons were adopted by a new family, her seven-year-old son, Eugene, was secretly taken to a harsh farm in Arkansas, where he endured physical abuse and grueling labor.

Notable Quote:
"You're not going to come home with us?" [00:02:30]

Dr. Ella Oppenheimer's Investigation

By 1935, alarming infant mortality rates in Memphis drew the attention of Dr. Ella Oppenheimer, a dedicated pediatrician from the U.S. Children’s Bureau. Her investigation revealed that while TCHS publicly reported no child deaths, the actual conditions in private boarding homes and orphanages run by TCHS were deplorable. Children suffered from malnutrition, disease, and abuse, contradicting Tann's claims of providing a safe haven.

Notable Quote:
"If Georgia Tann is lying." [00:18:45]

Political Corruption and Protection

Georgia Tann's operations thrived not only due to her ruthless business practices but also because of a powerful network of political allies. Her lawyer, Abe Waldauer, an influential attorney connected to Memphis political machine leader Edward "Boss" Crump, ensured that legal challenges against TCHS were swiftly dismissed. This alliance made Tann seemingly untouchable, as evident in the dismissed lawsuits of parents like Henry Wagerman.

Notable Quote:
"With Waldauer at her side, it seems that Georgia Tann is untouchable." [00:22:10]

Expansion and Escalation of Abuse

In 1943, TCHS expanded its operations by opening its own facility at 1556 Poplar Avenue, which quickly earned the ominous nickname "House of Mystery." Under TCHS management, the orphanage became a hotbed of neglect and abuse. Children faced overcrowded conditions, inadequate medical care, and severe discipline. Girls selected for special attention were subjected to sexual molestation, further deepening the horrors inflicted by Tann's system.

Notable Quote:
"1556 Poplar Avenue enables Georgia Tann to control abuse and profit from children on a scale greater than ever before." [00:28:00]

Cracks in the Facade: The 1945 Dysentery Outbreak

By 1945, the deteriorating conditions at 1556 Poplar Avenue culminated in a devastating dysentery outbreak, resulting in dozens of child deaths within months. Dr. Clyde Croswell, a respected pediatrician and medical advisor to TCHS, confronted Tann and the board with evidence of negligence and reckless endangerment. Despite his efforts, internal investigations dismissed his claims, highlighting the depth of Tann's influence and the corruption within TCHS.

Notable Quote:
"I've been treating an alarming number of children in this home for diarrhea and dehydration." [00:25:30]

Tann's Personal Downfall

Amid mounting scrutiny and personal health issues, Georgia Tann faced her own vulnerability. In 1941, a nervous breakdown and subsequent heart attack forced her to step back from her public role. Nevertheless, her legacy of exploitation and abuse continued to wreak havoc on the lives of countless children and families.

Notable Quote:
"But Georgia Tann is running out of time." [00:31:15]

Conclusion and Ongoing Investigation

As Episode 3 concludes, Lindsay Graham sets the stage for future revelations by hinting at upcoming investigations that will further unearth the extent of Tann's malfeasance. The episode underscores the systemic corruption that allowed TCHS to operate with impunity, leaving listeners anticipating the unraveling of Tann's empire in subsequent episodes.

Notable Quote:
"Before long, Tan will be facing a race to see what comes for her first death or exposure from Wondery." [00:34:50]

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Exploitation: Georgia Tann leveraged her position in TCHS to profit from adoptions illegally, prioritizing wealth over the welfare of children.

• Political Corruption: Tann's alliance with powerful political figures protected her from legal repercussions, allowing her schemes to flourish unchecked.

• Human Cost: Thousands of children suffered neglect, abuse, and death due to TCHS's inadequate and exploitative practices.

• Investigative Challenges: Efforts by dedicated individuals like Dr. Ella Oppenheimer and Dr. Clyde Croswell began to expose the truth, facing significant resistance from entrenched power structures.

• Continued Impact: The legacy of TCHS's actions left deep scars on families and highlighted the critical need for oversight and accountability in child welfare systems.

Further Listening:
Stay tuned for the next episode of American Scandal as the investigation into Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society intensifies, uncovering deeper layers of corruption and abuse.