John J. Botta Jr.

To Hug an Angel John J. Botta Jr. First edition

To Hug an Angel is an inspiring true story tracing the frustrating, difficult and dangerous search by would-be adoptive parents for a young Araucanian Indian girl through the treacherous Chilean Andes during a military dictator's state of siege. Chile was a democratic society, but that was to change rapidly. While en route to Santiago to finalize a typical foreign adoption, Carol and John were unaware of an assassination attempt upon the life of Chile's military leader-turned-dictator. A state of siege was gripping the nation in fear. Upon their arrival in South America, an intimidating search by Gestapo-like soldiers became the couple's introduction to the human indignities that would soon follow. Carol and John found themselves alone when their attorney was arrested for crimes against the state. No one had brought the child to Santiago. While gunshots shattered the fragile night air only blocks away, the American travelers, not yet exposed to the full impact of the military action, remained committed to the adoption. Caught in the turmoil, with their trip home delayed and with no knowledge of the child's whereabouts, they opted to venture a thousand miles south through the Andes to find the child on their own.