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Perspective from a friend of the family….
I've known the Needhams since before the twins were adopted. Kevin and Denise are
warm, modest, smart, creative, honorable people.
They are the kind of people who trust others and are trustworthy themselves. They live
modestly, they have fun theme parties, they enjoy frequent family get-togethers. They
have a close network of friends and family. They are the kind of people you would never
dream would be involved in a contentious legal battle--not to mention having their kids
kidnapped on Christmas Eve.
I am so very relieved that the twins will be safely at home this year on Christmas. I am so
happy that the twins have a stable home, that they have loving parents who know right
from wrong, that as the kids grow they are learning about honesty and integrity and
patience and kindness. The twins are such a delight—happy, healthy, fun- loving. They
are thriving and doing great in the family that loves and nurtures them.
While we are all thrilled that the twins are part of the Needham family, this has come at
some cost. I would never have expected the turmoil in the months, and now years, that
have followed the signing of the adoption agreement by both parties. As has been
reported publicly, Allison Quets had actively pursued the adoption for many months
before the twins were born. She sought out Denise and Kevin after the adoption with
another couple fell through. Denise and Kevin had already walked way from the adoption
once because they couldn't pay what she was asking them to pay for adopting the twins.
How could she then file a lawsuit accusing them of coercing her into the adoption?
Two years later, after the courts have listened to the evidence and ruled multiple times
that the adoption was completely proper, Allison Quets has filed lawsuit after lawsuit
against many different people involved in the case. She has hired and fired many
lawyers.
She has violated many court orders. She abducted the children and took them out of the
country with plans to keep them there. She has tried to make herself the center of
attention and sympathy while publicly promoting a story that is mostly unrecognizable to
those who know the facts.
As I've listened to Allison Quets' public story about the sequence of events that led to the
adoption, I've been shocked and angry. I have wished that the Needhams or the courts or
someone would publicly set the record straight. How can someone be so dishonest with
no accountability? It has also been so painful to hear the loud commentary from people
who were not there when these events happened—people who don't know the facts that
led the courts to decide that the twins should stay with the Needhams. It has sometimes
seemed eerily like another case that was in the news locally at the time of the kidnapping,
the Duke Lacrosse case, where the loudest voice was from the person who was willing to
make his case at all costs, ignoring the facts, considering only his own interests. Thank
goodness that in the case of the Needhams the courts got it right when they actually
heard the evidence and made the judgment about where the twins should stay.
Unfortunately, the critical court records that would help to show the true story of this
ordeal are sealed. While it is frustrating in some ways, I know why adoption documents
have to be sealed, and I also respect the Needhams for wanting to shelter their children
from an ugly public battle. In fact, one of the most amazing things in this whole ordeal has
been how patient, how tolerant the Needhams have been, and how they were totally
willing to let all of Allison's stories stand without correcting them, without fighting back—all
because they thought it was best for their kids.
Throughout this ordeal I've often thought that the only people who are really there caring
about the kids and making the selfless decisions are Denise and Kevin. Regardless of
genetics or paperwork or court decisions, they are truly the parents of Holly and Tyler.
And those kids are really lucky.
Ellen
I've known the Needhams since before the twins were adopted. Kevin and Denise are
warm, modest, smart, creative, honorable people.
They are the kind of people who trust others and are trustworthy themselves. They live
modestly, they have fun theme parties, they enjoy frequent family get-togethers. They
have a close network of friends and family. They are the kind of people you would never
dream would be involved in a contentious legal battle--not to mention having their kids
kidnapped on Christmas Eve.
I am so very relieved that the twins will be safely at home this year on Christmas. I am so
happy that the twins have a stable home, that they have loving parents who know right
from wrong, that as the kids grow they are learning about honesty and integrity and
patience and kindness. The twins are such a delight—happy, healthy, fun- loving. They
are thriving and doing great in the family that loves and nurtures them.
While we are all thrilled that the twins are part of the Needham family, this has come at
some cost. I would never have expected the turmoil in the months, and now years, that
have followed the signing of the adoption agreement by both parties. As has been
reported publicly, Allison Quets had actively pursued the adoption for many months
before the twins were born. She sought out Denise and Kevin after the adoption with
another couple fell through. Denise and Kevin had already walked way from the adoption
once because they couldn't pay what she was asking them to pay for adopting the twins.
How could she then file a lawsuit accusing them of coercing her into the adoption?
Two years later, after the courts have listened to the evidence and ruled multiple times
that the adoption was completely proper, Allison Quets has filed lawsuit after lawsuit
against many different people involved in the case. She has hired and fired many
lawyers.
She has violated many court orders. She abducted the children and took them out of the
country with plans to keep them there. She has tried to make herself the center of
attention and sympathy while publicly promoting a story that is mostly unrecognizable to
those who know the facts.
As I've listened to Allison Quets' public story about the sequence of events that led to the
adoption, I've been shocked and angry. I have wished that the Needhams or the courts or
someone would publicly set the record straight. How can someone be so dishonest with
no accountability? It has also been so painful to hear the loud commentary from people
who were not there when these events happened—people who don't know the facts that
led the courts to decide that the twins should stay with the Needhams. It has sometimes
seemed eerily like another case that was in the news locally at the time of the kidnapping,
the Duke Lacrosse case, where the loudest voice was from the person who was willing to
make his case at all costs, ignoring the facts, considering only his own interests. Thank
goodness that in the case of the Needhams the courts got it right when they actually
heard the evidence and made the judgment about where the twins should stay.
Unfortunately, the critical court records that would help to show the true story of this
ordeal are sealed. While it is frustrating in some ways, I know why adoption documents
have to be sealed, and I also respect the Needhams for wanting to shelter their children
from an ugly public battle. In fact, one of the most amazing things in this whole ordeal has
been how patient, how tolerant the Needhams have been, and how they were totally
willing to let all of Allison's stories stand without correcting them, without fighting back—all
because they thought it was best for their kids.
Throughout this ordeal I've often thought that the only people who are really there caring
about the kids and making the selfless decisions are Denise and Kevin. Regardless of
genetics or paperwork or court decisions, they are truly the parents of Holly and Tyler.
And those kids are really lucky.
Ellen
Holly & Tyler are well adjusted, happy and loved unconditionally in the care of Kevin &
Denise. These children have a big sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins who
are blessed to be a part of their lives. Kevin & Denise are amazing, self-less parents that
are giving these children a wonderful childhood. Parents that are teaching by example the
art of tolerance, patience and normalcy.
Wishing you the peace you deserve,
Aunt Suzan
Denise. These children have a big sister, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins who
are blessed to be a part of their lives. Kevin & Denise are amazing, self-less parents that
are giving these children a wonderful childhood. Parents that are teaching by example the
art of tolerance, patience and normalcy.
Wishing you the peace you deserve,
Aunt Suzan
In 2001, Denise and Kevin had just relocated to North Carolina 4 months before me. They
had purchased a new home that had small guest quarters attached. They were busy
getting settled into new jobs, the new home and Katie's new school.
I called them and shared the news that I was relocating to NC and needed find a place to
live. I was unsure if it was the right move for me and did not want to commit to a
permanent home until I knew if this was the right career move.
Without hesitation, they opened their home to me. They dropped what they were doing in
the main house to paint, carpet and clean the quest quarters with only a few weeks notice.
What a wonderful outpouring of love! They welcomed me with open arms, gave me
directions to navigate the area and shared meals with me. They gave me advice when I
asked for it and privacy when I needed it.
That winter we had THE ice storm. With no electricity for 5 days, I would have been
miserable in my quarters. They shared their living room, fire place, food and camping
stove with me until the utilities were restored.
I am blessed to have such warm and loving people in my life.
Nancy
had purchased a new home that had small guest quarters attached. They were busy
getting settled into new jobs, the new home and Katie's new school.
I called them and shared the news that I was relocating to NC and needed find a place to
live. I was unsure if it was the right move for me and did not want to commit to a
permanent home until I knew if this was the right career move.
Without hesitation, they opened their home to me. They dropped what they were doing in
the main house to paint, carpet and clean the quest quarters with only a few weeks notice.
What a wonderful outpouring of love! They welcomed me with open arms, gave me
directions to navigate the area and shared meals with me. They gave me advice when I
asked for it and privacy when I needed it.
That winter we had THE ice storm. With no electricity for 5 days, I would have been
miserable in my quarters. They shared their living room, fire place, food and camping
stove with me until the utilities were restored.
I am blessed to have such warm and loving people in my life.
Nancy
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As friends of the family, we have often sat in amazement as this story has unfolded. Ms.
Quets, the media, and even strangers have often said and done things that have been
deceitful, cruel and one-sided. All the while, the family has held true to their values of
integrity, honesty and unconditional love.
To parent...by the dictionary definition, it means to rear or raise a child. But we all know
that there is a lot more involved in parenting than this simple definition. It involves
patience, understanding, and discipline. All of which have been demonstrated by the
Needham family throughout these events. There have been many times that I personally
have thought what next, so I can't imagine how often the family has faced this same
question. Yet consistently, their responses have been based on the best interest of their
children. As cliché as it might sound, I don't think that you will find better parents than
Denise and Kevin.
B
Quets, the media, and even strangers have often said and done things that have been
deceitful, cruel and one-sided. All the while, the family has held true to their values of
integrity, honesty and unconditional love.
To parent...by the dictionary definition, it means to rear or raise a child. But we all know
that there is a lot more involved in parenting than this simple definition. It involves
patience, understanding, and discipline. All of which have been demonstrated by the
Needham family throughout these events. There have been many times that I personally
have thought what next, so I can't imagine how often the family has faced this same
question. Yet consistently, their responses have been based on the best interest of their
children. As cliché as it might sound, I don't think that you will find better parents than
Denise and Kevin.
B