Texas Woman Sentenced In Federal Adoption Fraud Case in Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Texas woman was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months in federal prison for pretending to be pregnant and defrauding a Kansas couple who wanted to adopt her unborn twins, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Chrystal Marie Rippey, 35, Marshall, Texas, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. In her plea, she admitted she defrauded a couple in Shawnee, Kan. On Aug. 8, 2011, the couple transferred $22,225 to an escrow account in Temecula, Calif., as part of their plan to adopt children from Rippey. On Aug. 25, 2011, American Adoptions in Overland Park, Kan., sent a birth mother packet to Rippey in Temecula California.

According to court records, both transactions were based on false statements by Rippey that she was pregnant and wanted to put her unborn twins up for adoption. The $22,225 was to pay for Rippey’s living expenses.                                                       

Grissom commended the Overland Park Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.