Metro Woman Arrested in Alleged Adoption Scam

A metro woman is in jail, and police have a special warning for parents after authorities broke up an alleged adoption scam that duped several couples looking to adopt a baby out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Roxanne Janel Jones of Kansas city, Missouri, is charged with identity theft and two counts of theft in connection to the case. Authorities say that she had at least six known aliases, including Kristy Bennett, Cindy Stevens, Tiffany Hayes, Stephanie Isiah, Kayla Stephens and Stacy Miller.

Investigators say that Jones posed as a birth mother and allegedly duped couples looking to adopt, as well as at least one non-profit adoption agency, out of money.

Overland Park Police and the U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Taskforce arrested Jones earlier this month at an area hotel. Police have not said how many people may be potential victims in the alleged scam.

Authorities are warning would-be adoptive parents to beware of such scams.

"Anybody wanting to adopt, do your homework, educate yourself," said Det. Dennis Reaser of the Overland Park Police Department.

Police are asking that anyone who had any recent contact with Jones to call the Overland Park Police Department.

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• Cindy Stevens
• Tiffany Hayes
• Stephanie Isiah