A Calgary couple thought this was the year they were going to finally have a child. However, Shawn and Delores Bertin say their dream has been dashed by their adoption company. It just filed for bankruptcy.

Imagine Adoptions specialized in facilitating adoptions from Africa. On Monday, it announced it was bankrupt, leaving hundreds of Canadian families in the lurch.

The Bertins had spent the last year undergoing background checks and home visitations. They'd also spent more than $15-thousand on the adoption process.

"Financially it's a big hit, but we knew that going in," said Delores Bertin. "We used our savings, and we used some of the money that my mom left us when she passed away thinking this is what she would've wanted."

The accountants going over Imagine Adoptions' books say it's too soon to say if the Bertins have any chance of adopting their child.

Between 50 and 70 Ethiopian children were already matched to Canadian parents. The parents just had to get their visas and go pick them up. Those kids have been living in a transition home in Ethiopia, but that home is almost out of money because of this bankruptcy.

Getting those kids to Canada is the first priority. Unfortunately, for families like the Bertins who weren't yet matched with a child, there is no easy answer.

Bankruptcy trustees say they need at least another week to figure out the fate of those families and the money they've already spent.