Wondery has released Liberty Lost, a six-episode limited series examining allegations of coercive adoption practices at Liberty Godparent Home, a maternity facility operating on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Hosted by investigative reporter T.J. Raphael, the podcast alleges that the home—founded in 1982 by Rev. Jerry Falwell as an alternative to abortion—systematically pressured pregnant teenagers and young women aged 12-21 to surrender their babies for adoption. According to the investigation, residents were offered scholarships to Liberty University as an incentive to relinquish parental rights.
The podcast features testimony from Abbi, who became pregnant at age 16, alongside Sarah Payne, a former resident of the facility who later worked as a case manager there. Their accounts form the core of the investigation into what the podcast characterizes as a troubling pattern of persuasion and coercion.
One of the central allegations is that residents were told God intended their babies to be raised by more "deserving" Christian couples. This messaging, combined with the offer of educational opportunities, created what the investigation suggests was significant pressure on vulnerable young women to make permanent decisions about their children.
Liberty Godparent Home has not responded directly to the podcast's allegations. However, the facility issued a statement to WSET ABC 13 in July 2025, ahead of the podcast's August release. The home remains operational as of 2025, continuing to serve its stated mission of providing an alternative to abortion for pregnant young women.
The investigation arrives amid renewed scrutiny of adoption practices at faith-based institutions, particularly regarding informed consent and the autonomy of birth mothers. The podcast's six-episode format allows for an in-depth examination of individual stories and systemic patterns within the home.
Wondery, the podcast division of Amazon Studios, is known for producing investigative series exploring institutional failures and allegations of misconduct. Liberty Lost represents the producer's continued focus on accountability journalism in the true crime and investigative reporting space.
The release of Liberty Lost underscores ongoing questions about the intersection of religious institutions, reproductive autonomy, and adoption practices in the United States. As of publication, no criminal proceedings or legal actions related to the podcast's allegations have been publicly documented.
