Peter McDonald

Families, including Teresa and Mike Matheny, Nick Granath, Courtney Edmond, and dozens of others traveled back to Detroit. The night before sentencing, a snowstorm descended. Schools throughout the city were closed, but the court stayed open. The next morning, Adam Bells Thomas got in his truck and drove through it to the federal courthouse downtown. His husband Kyle was with him.

The defense was going to present the letter Adam wrote in support of Tara Lee as a reason for her to receive a light sentence. But that letter wasn't what Adam believed anymore. And Woodward wanted the court to know it. She'd asked Adam to speak first.

The defense was going to present the letter Adam wrote in support of Tara Lee as a reason for her to receive a light sentence. But that letter wasn't what Adam believed anymore. And Woodward wanted the court to know it. She'd asked Adam to speak first.

The defense was going to present the letter Adam wrote in support of Tara Lee as a reason for her to receive a light sentence. But that letter wasn't what Adam believed anymore. And Woodward wanted the court to know it. She'd asked Adam to speak first.

When Adam and Kyle arrived at the courthouse, Woodward directed them into a separate building where dozens of couples and birth parents were waiting.

When Adam and Kyle arrived at the courthouse, Woodward directed them into a separate building where dozens of couples and birth parents were waiting.

When Adam and Kyle arrived at the courthouse, Woodward directed them into a separate building where dozens of couples and birth parents were waiting.

Matt is FBI agent Matt Sluss. Tammy Granath stayed home with her daughter May, but Nick was there. Teresa and Mike had met Courtney the night before, when they picked her up from the airport. What's the mood in this room when you all meet for the first time?

Matt is FBI agent Matt Sluss. Tammy Granath stayed home with her daughter May, but Nick was there. Teresa and Mike had met Courtney the night before, when they picked her up from the airport. What's the mood in this room when you all meet for the first time?

Matt is FBI agent Matt Sluss. Tammy Granath stayed home with her daughter May, but Nick was there. Teresa and Mike had met Courtney the night before, when they picked her up from the airport. What's the mood in this room when you all meet for the first time?

When it was time, Sarah Woodward led them outside. Here's Teresa Matheny.

When it was time, Sarah Woodward led them outside. Here's Teresa Matheny.

When it was time, Sarah Woodward led them outside. Here's Teresa Matheny.

And then they brought in Tara Lee.

And then they brought in Tara Lee.

And then they brought in Tara Lee.

After opening statements, Adam stepped out of the jury box and stood in front of Tara Lynn.

After opening statements, Adam stepped out of the jury box and stood in front of Tara Lynn.

After opening statements, Adam stepped out of the jury box and stood in front of Tara Lynn.

Ask anyone who was at Tara Lee's sentencing that day, and there's one moment they will all remember. One of the victims, Amber Morey, spoke about her failed match with a birth mother named Stacey. Amber had flown from Arizona to Michigan for the birth of Stacy's baby. Except Stacy never showed up at the hospital. Tara Lee couldn't find her. She disappeared. The baby was gone.