Bessie Bernard

During the course of the trial, witnesses testified about giving their babies to Irwin Slater for adoption for $300 or less. One, a 17 year old unwed mother, said she got $100. The families with which these babies were placed paid between $1,650 and $2,000. Two New Jersey women that operated nursing homes testified that they cared for babies for the defendents. One woman testified about flying to Florida to pick up a baby for Bernard, and flying home to New Jersey with the baby, which was placed with a couple a few days later. One man with whom a baby was placed testified that Bessie Bernard had never produced a birth certificate or adoption papers, which he had requested.

At the conclusion of the trial, after being denounced for "buying and selling babies for profit", Bessie Bernard and Irwin Slater were each sentenced to 1 year in jail, Slater was assessed a fine of $1,500, and Bernard was assessed a fine of $2,500. Harry Wolfson was acquitted. The judge characterized the acts of Bernard and Slater as "a nauseating and revolting practice of trading in human flesh". "There is no doubt that you were buying and selling babies for profit", said Judge Valente. "Humanitarian motives, if any, were a secondary consideration. A substantial gain on each deal was the primary motive."

In a ruling made on November 1, 1950, Judge Valente advised Bessie Bernard that if she paid her $2,500 fine by November 17th, he would suspend execution of her prison term.

Lest you think that this was the end of Bessie's illegal activities, she was doing black market adoptions as late as 1970, under the name of Elizabeth Weiner, which was her maiden name.

Bessie Bernard

Black Market Baby Broker