PHOENIX (FN) — Laura Michelle Owens, 35, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was indicted on Nov. 6 by a Maricopa County grand jury on seven felony charges in a second alleged paternity fraud case. The charges come as Owens already faces prosecution in a separate case involving former reality television star Clayton Echard.
The new indictment includes perjury, fraudulent schemes and artifices, two counts of identity theft, two counts of forgery, and theft by extortion. Prosecutors allege Owens falsely claimed to be pregnant by Gregory Gillespie, a man she briefly dated in 2021, and used forged documents to demand money from him.
According to court filings, Owens presented Gillespie with ultrasound images and a doctor’s note, both later determined to be fraudulent. Investigators say the ultrasound belonged to another woman and the note was created using a stolen identity, forming the basis of the extortion claim.
This Nov. 6 indictment follows a separate case in which Owens accused Echard, the former star of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” of fathering her unborn twins. Echard denied the allegations, stating the two never had a sexual relationship. A paternity test later confirmed he was not the father.
Owens dropped the Echard lawsuit in October 2023, citing a miscarriage. However, prosecutors moved forward with criminal charges in May 2025, alleging she submitted falsified medical records and attempted to manipulate the legal system. Her trial in that case is scheduled for January 2026.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell condemned Owens’ alleged actions, calling them “a disturbing abuse of legal and medical systems.” Mitchell emphasized the importance of protecting individuals from fraudulent claims and identity theft, especially when legal proceedings are involved.
Public reaction has been swift and international. Legal experts in the United Kingdom and Canada have cited the case as a warning about vulnerabilities in paternity verification systems. Social media users across platforms have debated the ethics of Owens’ alleged behavior, with some calling for legal reforms.
Clayton Echard, speaking to U.S. media outlets, described the experience as “traumatic” and said he was grateful for the support he received. “I’m relieved the truth came out,” Echard said. “It’s been a nightmare, but I’m glad the facts are finally being recognized.”
Owens, the daughter of longtime San Francisco radio host Ronn Owens, has not publicly commented on either case. Her legal counsel has declined to respond to media inquiries, citing the ongoing nature of the proceedings and the complexity of the allegations.
If convicted on all counts across both cases, Owens could face significant prison time. Prosecutors have not confirmed whether the two cases will be tried separately or consolidated, but both indictments underscore the seriousness of the charges and the potential consequences of misusing legal and medical documentation.
