Lawyer Charged With Trying To Buy Unborn Babies From Pregnant Inmates To Put Up For Adoption In Her Agency
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office announced charges against a lawyer who allegedly provided funds to two inmates in an effort to obtain their unborn children for her adoption organization.
Jody Hall, a legal practitioner specializing in adoptions, is facing two felony charges for the Sale or Purchase of a Child. Officials claim she also provided financial incentives to the pregnant inmates.
According to affidavits obtained by 'NBC 5,' investigators allege the 68-year-old conspired to acquire unborn children from two women incarcerated in Tarrant County jail. The sheriff's office identified Hall as an attorney managing Adoptions International LLC.
The affidavit alleges Hall, "discussed monetary agreements, provided various deposits into several inmates' commissary accounts...for the purposes of acquiring a child for the purpose of adoption."
Investigators described messages Hall allegedly sent to one inmate in March.
"Should be putting the money on your books today or tomorrow," Hall allegedly wrote. "Have you heard from your boyfriend?"
The affidavit continued, "I need to get him to sign a document stating that he may or may not be the father but if he is, he is relinquishing his rights... I can't give you any more if he's not willing to sign the paperwork."
Hall is said to have sent the inmate a total of $846.
When the woman decided to keep her baby and gave birth, Hall reportedly wrote, "Amber you're in jail and a drug addict...you are a scammer and I will be telling the prosecutor in your case all about how this family supported you since November."
In communications with another inmate starting in May, Hall allegedly said, "After you sign the relinquishment documents, we will add the same amount of money for 25 weeks wherever you go."
Documents show Hall sent the second inmate $250, later writing, "I have a family ready to go...you will love them. And you can have $2500 when you get out, or if you want me to put some on your books each week, I can do that."
Texas Penal Code 25.08(b)(4) permits adoption agencies to cover essential pregnancy-related expenses. However, the affidavit argues Hall's actions did not comply, "because Tarrant County jail covers all necessary pregnancy-related and living expenses for inmates."
Hall was apprehended last week in Hays County. Per 'CTV News,' she is currently out on bond.
