Sneak peek: What Happened to the Perfect Child? | Forensic Files

[Music] how old were you when you were adopted I was nine and that's what I wanted I want to feel loved and I want a
[Music] family I wanted a lot of children you see your friends having children and you try and you can't it
was difficult when we finally learned that we were going to be able to go over to Russia and pick up a little boy and
girl of our own it was just a tremendous event and we were very excited we had seen pictures of the
children and they were beautiful how did the agency describe Caroline a wonderful outgoing
intelligent little girl love to be around all ages of children and desperately looking for parents
was that an accurate description no it was not [Music] no after we returned home we would see
her staring off into the distance blankly in a trans-like state she started to stand over our bed at night
I'd wake up and she'd be right over my face there was a coldness in her and an anger and just a distance she became
someone I didn't know at all I mean at all [Music] carolly began stealing everything in the
house she stole all my jewelry our knives were disappearing she would do things like putting a kitten in the
middle of a pack of dogs cruel type behavior and then she snapped and tried to kill Joshua she had
him in her hands and was going to throw him over the deck she had him yes yes over the side here yes and I just
started screaming put him down carolly put him down what are you doing I'm going to kill
him I called the psychiatrist what am I going to do you know what what do we do she's becoming violent doctor there is
no question in your mind that Carol is a very troubled little girl no there's no
question in my mind about it at all this child I would consider to be a homicide
risk she has been on all kinds of medication and none of it has worked we've had cameras installed and we've
had alarms installed on her doors you know I don't know what the solution is what am I going to
do we going to get you the best help we can okay I know try to get my brother I love
him I'm dad just understand it I've done many stories during the course of my career but this was one
that that really stuck with me you want to resend the adoption we feel like we tried
everything it hit me in my heart so you plan on taking carolly back to Russia yes
yes I felt helpless leaving her behind I didn't know what would become of [Music]
her you're a strong girl a strong girl you're going to be fine okay don't cry [Music]

After a young girl is adopted from Russia, her American parents come to believe she is capable of murder and return her. Years later, "48 Hours" contributor Troy Roberts learns her surprising story. Watch Saturday, December 4 at 10/9c on CBS and Paramount+.

Crime. Social justice. Impact. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.

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Brief Summary

A family's adoption journey turns dark as their daughter Carol exhibits violent and troubling behavior, leading to a heartbreaking decision.

Key points

The Adoption Journey. A couple's journey to adopt children from Russia leads to unexpected challenges.
A Troubled Child. The adopted girl shows signs of deep emotional distress and troubling behavior.
A Heartbreaking Decision. Faced with escalating violence, the parents contemplate returning their daughter to Russia.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I want to feel loved and I want a family.

Expressing a deep desire for love and belonging.

0:13WatchNov 24, 2021

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