About four years ago, TikToker Ana (@achicet) learned that her biological grandmother tried to end her life before she was even born.
Ana’s biological mother had gotten pregnant with her when she was 17. She also didn’t know she was pregnant until she was already six months long, and she wasn’t in a relationship with Ana’s biological father.
She was forced to tell her parents about the pregnancy. Ana’s family is from a small village in Romania, meaning that the community was very tight-knit. In addition to that, everyone was religious.
“So, my mom eventually had to break the news to her mom, and she did not have a good reaction,” said Ana. “Her immediate reaction was you’re not married; you didn’t get married in a church. Like, this is just the worst possible outcome.”
“…You’re ruining the family…That was her initial thought, her initial belief, and that remained through my entire life until she died.”
Ana’s grandmother ignored her mom and just wanted to hide her from the neighbors. She thought the best way to get rid of the pregnancy would be to withhold food and water from Ana’s mom.
She locked her in a room and forbade her from going to school. However, Ana’s grandfather kept sneaking food to her.
Once Ana’s grandmother realized that the starvation strategy wasn’t working, things took a much more violent turn. She tied Ana’s mother to a post in the backyard and kept her there for three days.
“She did not let her eat, she did not let her go to the bathroom, she did not let anything happen,” said Ana. “And she just thought if she kept her outside like a dog, somehow the pregnancy would just go away.”
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When Ana’s grandmother realized that her husband was trying to help their daughter, she lost it and hit her in the stomach with a gardening tool.
Ana’s grandfather stepped in and separated them. He sent Ana’s mom to the hospital, where they were able to save her and Ana’s life.
Afterward, Ana’s mom went to live in another city with other relatives to get away from her own mom. A few months later, she gave birth and immediately put Ana in an orphanage.
Then, she went back home to her mom, thinking that everything would be fine now that the baby was gone. However, her mother was still furious.
At one point, the hospital showed up at the house to have Ana’s mom sign some release forms stating that she had given up the rights to her child.
But Ana’s mom was at school, so Ana’s grandmother answered the door. She found out where Ana was being held, went to the orphanage, and tried to bribe her way in to see Ana.
After a few days, a nurse let her in. Ana’s grandmother then tried to end her life by suffocating her. Another nurse realized what was happening and stopped her.
Ana’s grandmother was banned from the facility.
Her grandmother died a few years ago. Learning the whole story about her past has made Ana even more grateful for her adoptive parents. She feels that they saved her life and went above and beyond to nurture her.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
