Peter Ferris Cochran

Peter Ferris Cochran, center, stands with his wife and children near their home in Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

An American man discovers his roots — in a deadly Irish home for unwed mothers

Conflict & Justice

Peter Ferris Cochran was born in Ireland, to an unwed Irish mother. She was forced to live in a house for unwed mothers run by the Catholic Church, ultimately putting her son up for adoption. New information reveals how deadly, literally, those homes were.Peter Ferris Cochran was born in Ireland, to an unwed Irish mother. She was forced to live in a house for unwed mothers run by the Catholic Church, ultimately putting her son up for adoption. New information reveals how deadly, literally, those homes were.