A Texas adoption attorney, Jody Hall, has been accused of attempting to buy babies from pregnant inmates by placing money in their commissary accounts. Hall is facing two third-degree felony counts of sale or purchase of a child, each carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Hall, who graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1985 and founded Adoptions International, Inc. in 1995, allegedly put $846 in one inmate’s commissary account and messaged her, stating she had “cash for your commissary.” Over a period of two months, Hall continued to converse with the inmate regarding the adoption and pressured her to obtain the boyfriend’s relinquishment of parental rights.
However, the relationship deteriorated significantly, as evidenced by Hall’s aggressive tone in subsequent messages. Hall accused the pregnant inmate and her boyfriend of being scammers and threatened to inform the prosecutor about their alleged deceit.
Evidence from arrest records indicates that Hall also approached another inmate, offering $100 weekly payments and facilitating an open adoption where the biological mother would receive updates about the child. The second inmate was paid $250 and promised an additional $2,500.
Authorities have clarified that the payments placed in the inmates’ accounts do not comply with Texas statutes permitting prospective adoptive parents to cover medical and housing expenses, as these women were incarcerated at the time.
For further details, visit the Above the Law article.