Reunited Twins: A TikTok Miracle Unveils Georgia’s Dark History of Illegal Adoptions

The story of Amy Khvitia and Ano Sartania is not just a heartwarming tale of twins reunited through social media—it’s also a disturbing revelation of the systemic illegal adoption practices that plagued Georgia for decades. These twins were victims of a larger scandal in which babies were stolen from hospitals and sold to unsuspecting families, a practice that flourished from the 1950s through the mid-2000s.

Reunited Twins: A TikTok Miracle Unveils Georgia’s Dark History of Illegal Adoptions

Illegal Adoption Networks in Georgia The illegal sale of babies in Georgia was widespread, affecting tens of thousands of families. Between the 1970s and early 2000s, it’s estimated that up to 100,000 babies were illegally sold. In many cases, mothers were told their newborns had died shortly after birth, while in reality, the children were sold to families across the country or internationally. Some reports suggest that doctors and hospital staff were complicit in these schemes, falsifying birth certificates and official documents to cover their tracks​(Evening Standard)​(Early Chirp).

The twins’ mother, Aza, like many other women, was told that her babies had not survived. She was in a coma following childbirth, and when she awoke, she was informed that her daughters had died. This tactic was commonly used by traffickers to deceive vulnerable families and profit from the sale of newborns. After Georgia began to introduce stricter anti-trafficking laws in 2006, the government took steps to address the issue, but by then, thousands of families had already been torn apart​(Early Chirp)​(Better Care Network).

The Role of Social Media in Reuniting Families What makes Amy and Ano’s reunion especially remarkable is the role that social media played. After Amy’s TikTok video caught Ano’s attention, the platform became the key to uncovering their shared history. Social media and online platforms have increasingly become tools for reuniting families separated by illegal adoptions, especially in regions where records have been altered or destroyed. In this case, Ano reached out to a university WhatsApp group to track down Amy, while other victims have turned to Facebook groups dedicated to reconnecting lost relatives​(Global News)​(Better Care Network).

In Amy and Ano’s case, they not only discovered that they were twins but also found additional siblings through a Facebook group. The group was created to help reunite Georgian families affected by illegal adoptions. DNA tests confirmed that Amy and Ano were not the only children stolen from their biological mother, Aza. They also learned that they had at least two other siblings who were similarly sold after birth​(Early Chirp)​(Better Care Network).

A Broader Movement for Justice The twins have now become vocal advocates for other victims of Georgia’s illegal adoption system. Their story has garnered international attention, particularly through the BBC documentary Betrayal at Birth: Georgia’s Stolen Children. The documentary delves into how the adoption black market operated in Georgia, exposing the devastating impact it has had on families. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to reunite stolen children with their biological parents​(Early Chirp)​(Evening Standard).

Many victims are still searching for their families, and organizations have been formed to support them. In addition to raising awareness, these groups push for greater transparency and government action to help those affected by the illegal adoptions. Despite some progress, many of the records from the black-market adoptions remain hidden or destroyed, making it difficult for victims to piece together their past​(Evening Standard)​(Early Chirp).

Final Thoughts The reunion of Amy and Ano through TikTok has exposed a painful chapter in Georgia’s history, one marked by the illegal trafficking of babies and widespread deception of birth mothers. Their story is a symbol of hope, but it also underscores the need for justice for the thousands of families who remain separated due to this dark legacy. The internet and social media platforms have opened new doors for reconnecting lost families, but the scars of these illegal practices run deep, and many families are still searching for answers.

For those interested in learning more about the broader context of Georgia’s illegal adoptions, the BBC documentary Betrayal at Birth offers a more in-depth exploration of the topic​(Evening Standard)​(Early Chirp).