An Iowa woman known for promising couples that they could adopt her baby when officials said she was not pregnant, was sentenced in court on Monday on two charges. Tracy Bess, 25, was sentenced to five years on a perjury charge and one year for making a false report. She received a suspended sentence, probation and fine totaling $1,065. She will also be required to seek mental health care. "It was very wrong, not a victim less crime. I hurt a lot of people. I can't say sorry enough. What I did was really wrong," said Bess.
The charges were related to an arrest in May after police said Bess filing a false sexual-assault report under the name of Tara Snyder. Police said Bess promised couples in other states that they could adopt her unborn baby even though she was not pregnant. Officers said Bess not only lied about being pregnant, but intentionally targeted people looking to adopt a child.
Jadie and Jennifer Giordis said they traveled from Nebraska to meet "Tara Snyder," a young woman they believed had just given birth and was ready to relinquish parental rights. "She even texted us a couple pictures of the supposed baby and it fit with what she told us. So it made it even more believable," Jadie Giordis said. "We were extremely excited. Having waited for so long to add to our family, we were definitely stoked about it, but we were nervous because they can change their mind at any time. But we were hopeful."Their dreams were shattered when they learned "Tara" was actually Bess.
The disappointed couple then returned home without the child they longed to adopt. "We were frustrated, angry, surprised -- we had so many emotions going through us -- I think we were floored," Giordis said. Ankeny police said Bess was first arrested on a the filing a false report charge, which was unrelated to the adoption discussions with couples. According to police records, Bess told officers, "She has contacted at least 10 prospective parents, but probably more than that."