Woman who claimed she was carrying 'Bachelor' star's baby sentenced in pregnancy fraud scheme
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Set us as preferred A woman who faked two pregnancies and falsely claimed that a former star of “The Bachelor” was the father of one of the children has been sentenced to 30 days in jail.The sentencing in an Arizona courtroom ended a years-long legal saga that began when Laura Michelle Owens falsely claimed she was pregnant with the child of Clayton Ray Echard, a former star on the popular reality dating show.Owens’ attorney did not respond to request for comment.Owens, a California native living in Arizona, filed a paternity lawsuit against Echard in 2023 seeking child support, according to prosecutors.The allegations drew scores of headlines well after the last episode of the season featuring Echard aired in 2022.
Television The uproar over Clayton Echard’s behavior toward contestant Susie Evans has marred the show’s hopes of a scandal-free season.Here’s what to know.Owens, 36, later dropped the suit after claiming she had a miscarriage.
A judge then referred the case to prosecutors in Maricopa County, Ariz., after noting inconsistencies in Owens’ statements.Authorities determined that Owens altered an ultrasound image, fabricated a pregnancy video and lied under oath claiming she was pregnant, according to a statement from prosecutors at the time.
The inquiry led prosecutors and investigators to a second man who briefly dated Owens.When that relationship ended, Owens alleged she was pregnant, using falsified documents to back up the claim, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
In May 2025, a grand jury indicted Owens on one count of fraudulent schemes, one count of forgery, four counts of perjury and one count of tampering with physical evidence in Echard’s case.She later was charged with additional counts of perjury and fraudulent schemes, two counts of taking the identity of another,...