Brothel-running mother wants kids back

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CHICAGO, March 1 (UPI) -- An Illinois court is determining the fate of two young girls whose adoptive mother ran a brothel in their home.

Lutheran Children and Family Services therapist Sabrina Herrera testified Wednesday in Cook County Child Protection Court the girls, 9 and 3, say they still want to be reunited with Kimberly Miniea, 51, the woman who adopted them at birth, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Herrera said the 9-year-old was scared by the "strangers" that made noises with prostitutes who lived at the brothel, but she wants to live with Miniea.

She "is conflicted," Herrera said. "She needs to know what's going to happen to her."

The girls have been in foster care since Miniea was busted by police in 2010 for running a brothel out of her home.

Miniea was caught on tape by police bragging that her brothel serviced a "who's who of politics." She was also recorded as saying she "bought" one of her adopted daughters from a heroin addict.

The woman has since denied buying the girls and is trying to get them back.

However, the Cook County state's attorney and social service agencies are working to have Miniea's parenting rights revoked.