Tragic History Behind the “Children for Sale” Photo from the 1940s

In the late 1940s, a heart-wrenching image depicting four children for sale was published in newspapers across the United States. A woman named Lucille Chalifoux and her husband, Ray, were facing challenges due to unemployment and were on the brink of eviction, seemingly with no other option. However, perhaps there was more than what the public had been led to believe. Eventually, the children would have the opportunity to tell their story. On August 5, 1948, an advertisement was published in the Vidette-Messenger in Valparaiso, Indiana, showing a mother, back turned and head in hands, seemingly distressed. Meanwhile, her four young children were seated on the steps behind her, next to a sign that read: “4 children for sale. Inquire within.” The ad eventually circulated in newspapers nationwide, from New York and Pennsylvania to Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Later, it was published in newspapers in Iowa, Texas, and a few other states. The children for sale were Lana, 6 years old, and Rae, 5 years old, seated on the upper step. Meanwhile, their four-year-old brother, Milton, was seated on the lower step with two-year-old Sue Ellen. It turned out Lucille was pregnant with her fifth child, who would also be sent elsewhere. Many of the children have few memories of their biological mother or the taking of the photo. However, some would later meet Lucille in their lives and discover that her decision may not have been out of necessity. Each of the children for sale has their own unique and fascinating, if not tumultuous, story that they were able to share among themselves. With the exception of Lana, who passed away in 1998 from cancer. Alternatively, they managed to get in touch with Lana’s family in the hope of learning as much as possible about their older sister’s life. Although it is sad they could never reunite with their older sister, Rae and Milton had the opportunity to spend time together throughout their lives. While there is no clear evidence of the purchase or adoption of the children, Rae and Milton were sent to live with John and Ruth Zoeteman in DeMotte, Indiana. According to Rae, Lucille sold her for $2. Apparently, she wanted that money to play bingo because the man she was involved with wanted nothing to do with her children. So, she put the children up for sale