Florida Woman Accused Of Scamming Couple In Adoption Fraud

CLEARWATER (CBSMiami/AP) — A Florida woman is behind bars after allegedly scamming a couple in an adoption fraud incident.

Authorities say 29-year-old Ceara Stowe failed to follow through with an adoption agreement leaving the couple heartbroken and Stowe back in jail.

A Pinellas County police report says Stowe was serving jail time in December when she signed an adoption agreement, giving up her twins to a Nebraska couple. The report says Stowe asked the couple for money, including $2,100 in May for rent.

Deputies say when Stowe told the couple it was time on June 3, she never showed up. The couple then discovered she had actually given birth May 26.

The report says Stowe admitted Wednesday to taking the couple's money after already giving birth. Stowe's mother has the twins and Stowe's four other children.

News outlets report Stowe was charged with adoption deception.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)