What is known via publicly available data:

  • 2013: Ethiopian siblings, Barite and Begidu, were two waiting children described as being for adoption by an unknown US-based adoption agency in 2013.

  • August 2013: Consuela “Connie” and Jack Morris of Traverse City, Michigan requested a match with these waiting children for adoption and received the official referral for adoption in August 2013.

  • July 2014: Jack and Connie made their first trip to Ethiopia to meet the children between July 13 and July 23, 2014 after the Ethiopian Courts ruled favorably in the adoption.

  • July and August 2014: Based on photographic artifacts made publicly available by the adoptive mom, it is possible that the children were residing at the Thomas Center in Addis Ababa between July and August 2014. This is unconfirmed.

2014: Barite at Transition Orphanage

2014: Begidu at Transition Orphanage

Comparing wall behind Begidu in Courtyard photo to this photo of the outside of courtyard at the Thomas Center in Addis Ababa, run by Children’s House International. Unconfirmed match.

  • August 2014: Jack and Connie returned to Ethiopia for an appointment at the U.S. Embassy to take custody of the children between August 18 and August 26, 2014, and return with them to Michigan.

  • August 2014: The children are informally given the names of “Piper” (Barite) and “Josiah” (Begidu).

  • November 2014: Jack Morris, adoptive father, gives a sermon at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Traverse City, MI (now known as Sojourn Church) at the invitation of Pastor Ben Whipple on Orphan Sunday. He talks about the children and the adoption, and mentions that the church helped to pay for the adoption of the children.

  • February 2015: The Morris Family purchases the property at 3442 S West Bay Shore Drive, Suttons Bay, MI.

  • 2016

  • July 2017: The Morris Family sold the property at 3442 S West Bay Shore Drive, Suttons Bay, MI.

  • July 31, 2017: The Morris Family purchases and moves to the property at 9893 Colonial Walk, Estero, FL.

  • 2018

  • 2019: The Morris’ would later report that Piper/Barite was rehomed early this year to another state and that they did not keep in contact with her.

  • 2020

  • October 15, 2021: The Morris Family purchases and moves to the property at 523 Val Mar Dr, Fort Myers, FL

  • October 18, 2021: The Morris Family sells the property at 9893 Colonial Walk, Estero, FL

  • March 17, 2022: Josiah/Begidu was hospitalized with injuries. He was in a coma. It’s reported that the two oldest biological children were not in the home on this day, but the youngest biological child (14 years old) was home with the adoptive mom and Josiah/Begidu.

  • March 23, 2022: Josiah/Begidu dies in the hospital.

  • 2023

  • March 11, 2024: The Child Fatality report was signed for Begidu Morris.

  • January 16, 2025: WINK News releases an Initial Report on Begidu Morris

  • April 14, 2025: WINK News releases an Updated Report on Begidu Morris