Pregnant Woman Accused Of Defrauding Couple Wishing To Adopt

PINELLAS PARK, FL — A Pinellas Park woman has been arrested after the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said she took expense money from a couple after agreeing to let them adopt unborn twin babies.

Ceara Rae Stowe, 26, of 80th Avenue North was charged with two felony counts of adoption deception Thursday.

Economic crimes detectives launched the investigation June 5 when they were notified by a local adoption agency of possible adoption fraud. Detectives said Joshua and Lindsey Buechler, both 35 years old, from Nebraska were contacted last year by Susan Deckrow, 69, director of adoptions at the Thomas Fischgrund P.A. attorney's office after Stowe chose them from a list of prospective adoptive parents.

On Dec. 21, Stowe, who was pregnant with twins and incarcerated at the Pinellas County Jail, signed a pre-birth agreement permitting the Buechlers to adopt her babies. The Buechlers, in turn, signed an agreement to pay Stowe fees for rent, food and personal expenses during her pregnancy.

Stowe and the Buechlers remained in contact with Stowe through emails and written letters during her incarceration. When Stowe was released March 4, they remained in contact by phone and text messages, with Stowe reiterating her intent to place her unborn twins with them. As agreed, the Buechlers continued to send her money for her expenses. Stowe told them that her obstetrician planned to induce labor on June 3.

On May 29, Stowe texted Deckrow, saying she needed $1,500 for rent, a $250 allowance and $350 for bills. The Buechlers paid the requested $2,100.

Then, on June 3, she notified the Buechlers by text that she was on her way t0 Bayfront Hospital where her obstetrician planned to induce labor. The Buechlers arrived at the hospital a few hours later and discovered that Stowe had never been admitted. Text messages to Stowe went unanswered.

The following day, Deckrow obtained a medical release for information on Stowe and learned she had given birth to her twins in the early morning hours of May 26, prior to requesting the $2,100 payment.

Detectives conducted an interview with Stowe Aug. 14. She admitted to signing the adoption agreement while in jail and receiving funds from the couple after the birth of her babies even though she intended to rescind her agreement to allow the couple to adopt her twins.

After her arrest, Stowe's 50-year-old mother took custody of the newborn twins and Stowe's four other children.