Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced the indictment of Laura Michelle Owens on multiple felony charges. The charges stem from an alleged paternity scheme involving a former contestant on “The Bachelor,” Clayton Echard.
The investigation began in July of last year after a Superior Court Judge requested the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to look into Owens’ actions. During a paternity hearing, Owens reportedly made several inconsistent statements. Initially, she filed a lawsuit seeking child support from Echard but later withdrew her claim, citing a miscarriage.
According to investigators, between May 2023 and June 2024, Owens altered an ultrasound image, fabricated a pregnancy video, and provided false testimony under oath. As a result, a grand jury has indicted her on several charges: one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (a Class Two Felony), one count of Forgery (a Class Four Felony), four counts of Perjury (a Class Four Felony), and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence (a Class Six Felony).
It is important to note that “a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
