Claim: Woman fakes pregnancy for money
Published: March 26, 2008 at 9:32 PM
OCALA, Fla., March 26 (UPI) -- A Florida woman faces criminal charges after she allegedly faked a pregnancy to swindle thousands of dollars from agencies that support pregnant females.
Shawanda Butler, 24, was accused of faking her pregnancy after she refused to show her belly to Little Angels Adoption Agency owner, Shannon McCracken, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Wednesday. Butler was taken into custody Tuesday and faces organized fraud charges.
"I touched it. It was a pillow," McCracken said.
McCracken reportedly became suspicious of Butler after she maintained her small 115-pound frame while claiming to be six months into her pregnancy.
Butler has received at least $5,000 of support from Little Angels and $1,500 from the non-profit Choose Life Resources organization, the Sentinel reported.
McCracken said she believes Butler used her pregnant sister's urine to get a positive result on a pregnancy test required by the agencies from women seeking financial support. Authorities have concluded that Butler falsified the pregnancy, police spokeswoman Jenifer Fisher said.
Shawanda Butler, 24, was accused of faking her pregnancy after she refused to show her belly to Little Angels Adoption Agency owner, Shannon McCracken, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Wednesday. Butler was taken into custody Tuesday and faces organized fraud charges.
"I touched it. It was a pillow," McCracken said.
McCracken reportedly became suspicious of Butler after she maintained her small 115-pound frame while claiming to be six months into her pregnancy.
Butler has received at least $5,000 of support from Little Angels and $1,500 from the non-profit Choose Life Resources organization, the Sentinel reported.
McCracken said she believes Butler used her pregnant sister's urine to get a positive result on a pregnancy test required by the agencies from women seeking financial support. Authorities have concluded that Butler falsified the pregnancy, police spokeswoman Jenifer Fisher said.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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