Was a young girl adopted from Russia capable of murder?
CBSN
More than two decades ago, "48 Hours" contributor Troy Roberts reported on the heart-wrenching story of a 9-year-old Russian girl who was adopted by an American couple. They called the little girl Caralee, and their lives together started with promise. But a year-and-a-half later, the couple came to believe Caralee was dangerous, even capable of murder. They say she tried to kill her little brother. CRYSTAL to JOSHUA [home video]: Are you worried that she's going to do something to you right now? Because she's not. Mommy's here. CRYSTAL TO CARALEE: We're going to get you the best help we can, OK? It's going to be all right. CRYSTAL TO JOSHUA: Mommy's not ever gonna let her hurt you. JOSHUA: I'm gonna go to my Grandma's today. CRYSTAL: Why do we have to send him to Grandma's to keep him safe? Home video of Caralee taking a passport photo: JESSE [home video]: So, you still like to get your picture taken after all this time? CARALEE: How long I'm gonna stay in — in there? CARALEE: I don't feel safe stay here. CARALEE: I want to go back to America. I'm scared of staying here. TROY ROBERTS [1999]: She was terrified. TROY ROBERTS: The door slammed shut. And I wasn't sure if I would ever see her again. CRYSTAL: Are you seeing something now? CRYSTAL [1999]: She had him in her hands and was going to throw him over the deck. CRYSTAL [1999]: Put him down, Caralee. CRYSTAL [1999]: Put him down! TROY ROBERTS to CARALEE [1999]: What happened that day out on the deck? TROY ROBERTS [1999 in the Russian hospital]: So how is it going here?
Roberts was there as the American couple returned Caralee to Russia and left her behind in a children's psychiatric hospital. For years, he tried to find out what became of Caralee, and last summer they reunited and he learned her surprising story. CARALEE: Because I — I may hurt him. JESSE: Time to go get your picture made, Caralee. CARALEE: I like it! CARALEE: Shakes head [to affirm] CARALEE: I was trying to push him off the deck. CARALEE: Not good.
"I've done many stories during the course of my career, but this was one that — that really stuck with me," Roberts says. CRYSTAL: What we're gonna do is we're gonna get your picture made today. CRYSTAL: Did you see something earlier? TROY: You were trying to push him off the deck? TROY ROBERTS: Not good? Why?
