An adoption attorney has been charged with attempting to purchase unborn children from two inmates in Tarrant County. Jody Hall, 68, faces two counts of Felony Sale or Purchase of a Child. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office alleges that Hall sent money to pregnant women incarcerated in the county jail in exchange for their children, intending to place them for adoption through her agency, Adoptions International LLC.
According to arrest affidavits obtained by NBC 5, Hall allegedly used her position to scheme with the inmates. The sheriff’s office reported that Hall, who is an attorney, communicated with inmates via tablets provided in the jail, discussing financial arrangements and depositing money into their commissary accounts for the purpose of acquiring children for adoption.
The affidavit details messages Hall sent to one inmate beginning in March, including a message saying, “Should be putting the money on your books today or tomorrow… Have you heard from your boyfriend?” and “I need to get him to sign a document stating that he may or may not be the father but if he is, he is relinquishing his rights.” Hall reportedly sent the inmate a total of $846.
When the inmate decided to keep her child and gave birth, Hall allegedly wrote, “Amber you’re in jail and a drug addict… you are a scammer and I will be telling the prosecutor in your case all about how this family supported you since November.”
In another case, starting in May, Hall is said to have told a different inmate, “After you sign the relinquishment documents, we will add the same amount of money for 25 weeks wherever you go.” Hall allegedly sent this inmate $250 and later offered, “I have a family ready to go… you will love them. And you can have $2,500 when you get out, or if you want me to put some on your books each week, I can do that.”
Texas law permits adoption agencies to provide financial support to pregnant women for necessary pregnancy-related expenses, but the affidavit states that Hall’s actions did not meet this standard, as the jail covers all necessary expenses for the inmates.
Hall was arrested in Hays County last week. NBC 5 has reached out to Hall and Adoptions International for comment but has not yet received a response.
