February 12, 2007

            LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the arrest and arraignment of Heather Roshelle Collins of Wyandotte, Michigan, for using her unborn child to defraud several prospective adoptive parents. 

            "Using an unborn baby to defraud parents is despicable," said Cox.  "This is one of the lowest forms of fraud, and my office will bring the full weight of the law to bear in this case."

            Collins is alleged to have associated with as many as four different private adoption agencies seeking prospective adoptive parents to pay her living expenses under the premise that, in return, she would offer her child to the parents for adoption.  Over the course of 2006 she had "matched" with three sets of prospective adoptive parents, none of whom were aware of the others.  These prospective parents paid rent, car payments, and cell phone expenses for Collins.  In some instances, Collins received payment from two different sets of prospective parents for the same expenses.  Collins is alleged to have continued to accept payment from prospective parents even after she had given birth and turned the child over to another family for adoption.

            "This case of fraud is particularly devastating because it victimized families who desired nothing more than to welcome a child into their home," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the Michigan State Police.  "Although the true impact of this crime is emotional, the Michigan State Police hope this arrest will help bring these families some closure."

            Michigan State Police arrested Collins, 33, at her home.  The defendant was arraigned in 27^th District Court, before Judge Randy L. Kalmbach, on 2 counts of obtaining money in excess of $1,000 under false pretenses, a felony punishable by up to 5 years. 

            Judge Kalmbach set bond at $20,000, and Collins will be back in court for a preliminary exam scheduled for February 22, 2007.

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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