The Brief

PHOENIX - A Valley woman accused of faking a pregnancy to defraud a former star of "The Bachelor" is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning to enter her plea.

The backstory:

Prosecutors say Laura Owens went to "extreme lengths" to manipulate Clayton Echard. Earlier this month, a Maricopa County grand jury indicted Owens on several felony charges , including fraudulent schemes, forgery and perjury.

In 2023, Owens filed a paternity lawsuit against Echard, claiming to be pregnant with twins. She also sought child support.

Owens later dropped the claim, saying she had a miscarriage. The judge dismissed the case, but he also found that Owens knowingly presented a false claim.

Investigators believe that between May 2023 and June 2024, Owens altered an ultrasou

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