A Virginia lady who faked being pregnant proper up till supply, and lied to a California couple trying to undertake her child, was arrested Monday.
Prosecutors filed prices in Scott County Circuit Court in Virginia towards Elizabeth Jones, who admitted to tricking a California couple into believing she would give them a child daughter by means of an adoption association. Laura and Matt Trayte of Lake Forest, California, saved in each day contact with Jones, even touring throughout the nation for knowledgeable “It’s a Girl! We’re Adopting” photograph shoot posted to social media. The couple showered her in items and companies proper up till Jones faked going into labor and in the end checked herself right into a hospital and later lied about having beforehand had a miscarriage.
The couple first shared the heartbreaking ordeal with native information shops late final yr, telling WJHLT-TV in December, Jones “was going to be a part of our life for the future and the baby’s future. We dove headfirst into this process with our hearts.”
Because faking a being pregnant is just not unlawful, prosecutors needed to discover different authorized means within the couple’s demand for justice. On Monday, Jones, of Nickelsville, Virginia, was arrested on 9 counts of felony larceny for receiving items below “false pretenses” throughout her pretend being pregnant. Jones had beforehand been convicted of bank card fraud, The Washington Post first reported.
WCYB-TV reported in January that Jones reached out to the couple in September 2018, claiming she was 5 months pregnant and needed them to undertake her youngster. Jones claimed she “wanted to focus on her career” they usually arrange an adoption settlement after the Traytes tried a number of costly in vitro procedures. The Traytes instructed native information shops earlier this yr they spent numerous hours every day checking the progress of their future youngster on the opposite aspect of the nation.
Screenshot: A Sibling for Hudson | Facebook
Jones stated in January she was going to remedy to determine why she duped the Traytes into believing she was pregnant and open to adoption. However, she didn’t imagine she could be pursued with felony prices.
In addition to receiving items from the couple, Jones posed for a number of skilled images with the Trayte household, together with their younger son, Hudson, who was even delivered to the hospital to satisfy his new child sister earlier than the ruse was uncovered. Jones even contacted the Traytes saying she was going into labor and getting blood in her jeep as she rushed to the hospital to provide start, urging them to rush and meet her there.
A November Facebook publish entitled “A Sibling for Hudson” exhibits Laura and Elizabeth making hearts with their arms and sporting “Birth Mom Strong” and “Adoptive Mom Strong” long-sleeved shirts whereas smiling. Hudson is seen posing between the Trayte dad and mom holding a coronary heart and puzzle-shaped signal that reads, “Waiting for our missing piece.”
Jones has beforehand stated she regrets mendacity to the couple, however nonetheless made up a number of tales after the Trayte household rushed to the hospital solely to seek out her giving them a “blank stare,” as Laura instructed native information shops. Jones additionally stated that whereas she is sorry for mendacity, she does not suppose she must be subjected to any authorized repercussions.
“I don’t think so, because I don’t feel like what I did was criminally wrong,” Jones stated, when requested if she must be prosecuted. “Now Morally? Yes. But I’ve never seen someone be charged with something morally…”.
Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney Chuck Slemp was made particular prosecutor on the case, which indicted Jones final week.
“Our office worked with the Sheriff’s Department,” Slemp instructed WCYB-TV. “They investigated and they worked with folks to determine whether there was a crime, and they sought the indictments. Now that an indictment has been issued, our office will be prosecuting it.”
The Trayte household stated they hope this “psychological attack” on them and prosecution of Jones will result in adjustments inside the adoption business.