TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Adoption attorney Jody Hall has been charged with attempting to buy unborn children from two inmates in the Tarrant County Jail. Hall, who runs Adoptions International LLC, faces two counts of Felony Sale or Purchase of a Child.
According to arrest affidavits obtained by NBC 5, the 68-year-old Hall allegedly sent money to pregnant women in jail, intending to acquire their children for adoption through her agency. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office reports that Hall used inmates’ tablets to communicate and negotiate monetary agreements.
The affidavits reveal that Hall discussed financial arrangements and deposited funds into the commissary accounts of several inmates to facilitate the adoption process. Messages between Hall and one inmate, starting in March, show Hall providing financial support and requesting that the inmate’s boyfriend sign documents relinquishing parental rights. Hall reportedly sent this inmate a total of $846.
When the inmate chose to keep her child and gave birth, Hall allegedly accused her of fraud and threatened to inform the prosecutor about the support she had received.
In a separate case starting in May, Hall reportedly promised another inmate financial support and a future payment of $2,500 in exchange for signing relinquishment documents. Hall sent this inmate $250 and offered to provide additional funds during her incarceration.
Texas Penal Code allows adoption agencies to assist with necessary pregnancy-related expenses, but the affidavits claim Hall’s actions do not meet this standard, as Tarrant County Jail covers such expenses for its inmates.
Hall was arrested last week in Hays County. NBC 5 has reached out to Hall and Adoptions International LLC for comment but has not yet received a response.
