Pregnancy
Couple travel over 1,000 miles to pick up new baby only to find out they’ve been scammed out of $10,000
The couple traveled over 1,000 miles away, rented an airbnb and brought everything they needed for their baby (including a car seat) only to find out something wasn’t right when the mother postponed her induction day.
Rebecca Reid
01.12.22

An Ohio couple is heartbroken after realizing there is no baby to bring home.

There are scams everywhere these days but it’s hard to believe someone is capable of profiting from a fake adoption. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to Breanne Paquin and her husband after their struggles with infertility led them to consider private adoption. The Akron, Ohio couple flew to Houston in the hopes of picking up their baby boy, however, they soon found out that the entire pregnancy was a scam, and the baby boy they had let into their hearts, never existed.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

“Update…we’re going to get our baby.” – Breanne Paquin

“We ran background checks..the first thing I had her do was prove her identity by asking her to send a picture of her ID.” Breanne also told Fox 7 Austin about her efforts to find a private adoption opportunity on social media. After finally finding a woman who was interested, Breanne and her husband hired a Houston-area lawyer who helped them with the entire process.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

The baby was real to them.

They had every reason to believe this adoption was legitimate. The couple received ultrasound videos and pictures of the baby prior to their trip to Texas.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

The experience took a toll on the couple.

“We talked about what the future would look like for all of us…we wanted to have an open adoption where she was still involved with the baby’s life.” – Breanne Paquin told Fox 7 Austin. They received medical bills related to the pregnancy and paid them all totaling over $9,000.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

They were told the baby was a boy.

After the couple was informed that the baby would arrive the week after Christmas, the couple organized their trip down to Texas. Flights were booked as well as an Airbnb and rental car. They were overjoyed at the idea of bringing their baby home.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

“Prayers please…” – Breanne Paquin

She uploaded another video to TikTok letting her followers know that the mother was being induced that evening at 8 PM. The look on her face is pure excitement and joy. She leaves the message with, “prayers please.”

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

Something was off.

The big day arrived but the couple was told by the woman that her mother needed to have open-heart surgery and her induction was being postponed. They had no information about a second induction date and days would go by before they would realize what had actually taken place. Sadly, the couple’s lawyer had a suspicion that they had been scammed.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

Joy turns to heartache.

“The lawyer and my husband actually went out to one of her last known addresses, which happened to be family members of hers. They spoke with her family who said they did not think she was pregnant at all….they said her mom was completely fine and not in the hospital.” – Breanne Paquin told Fox 7 Austin.

YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Fox 7 Austin

The couple leaves Texas heartbroken.

With an empty car seat, the couple headed home to Ohio with the realization that their dream of a baby would have to wait. “Nothing has changed…we left an empty house and we’re coming home to an empty house…but everything feels like it’s changed.” – she told Fox 7 Austin. Searching for answers, the family’s lawyer is working alongside the district attorney’s office and the FBI to pursue a possible wire fraud charge. The couple told Fox 7 Austin that they don’t want this to happen to another family so they are working to raise awareness.

Now watch the video of this couple’s heartbreaking ordeal.

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