August 28, 2026 bachelor insider
Laura Owens Pleads Guilty in Paternity Fraud Involving Clayton Echard — Details Here
A new development.
Bachelor Nation got to know Clayton Echard on Season 18 of “The Bachelorette” and again on Season 26 of “The Bachelor” as the leading man.
For the past few years, Clayton has been facing a paternity scam because a woman, now identified as Laura Owens, falsely claimed the former Bachelor was the father of her unborn twins.
After some investigating, Clayton discovered she is allegedly a full-time scam artist, and he was reportedly the fourth person she’s done this to.
Since then, he’s been working to clear his name and get justice for himself and the other three people involved.
Now, it has been reported that Laura has entered into a plea agreement in the paternity allegation.
According to 12 News, Owens “pleaded guilty to two counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices, one count of taking identity of another, and one count of perjury.”
Laura first filed a lawsuit against Clayton in 2023, claiming she was pregnant with his twins and seeking child support.
She eventually dropped the claim, stating that she had suffered a miscarriage, and investigations alleged she had faked a pregnancy video, an ultrasound image, and lied under oath multiple times.
In November 2025, Owens was indicted on additional felony charges after investigations alleged she had falsely accused another person.
This plea agreement will end both criminal cases against her, and she is set to be sentenced “on October 23rd in Maricopa County Superior Court.”
We will keep you posted on any updates that may come from this case.
