Are you freaking kidding me???

Armstrong baby scam suspect awaits judge's ruling

By Brigid Beatty, LEADER TIMES

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Last updated: 8:15 am

About the writer

Brigid Beatty is a Leader Times staff writer and can be reached at 724-543-1303 or via e-mail.



KITTANNING — A woman who was arrested last month on charges connected to an alleged baby scam is awaiting a district judge's decision following her preliminary trial Wednesday.

Amy Slanina, 32, was arrested Dec. 30 after she was discovered at the domestic violence shelter, HAVIN (Helping All Victims in Need), in Kittanning under a false name. HAVIN Director Jo Ellen Bowman said she called police after learning that Slanina was wanted on a parole violation in Ohio. Following her arrest at HAVIN, Slanina was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and confessed to police that she had snorted Klonopin. While staying at HAVIN, Slanina allegedly used her cell phone and a computer at the shelter to contact a couple from Idaho. Slanina, calling herself Amiee, allegedly texted and e-mailed Richard and Rebecca Vest and conned them into believing she was pregnant and ready to give up her baby for adoption.

Slanina was initially charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, theft by deception and theft of services. She waived her right to a preliminary hearing on those charges on Jan. 4.

She has since been charged with two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, which were later withdrawn, and two counts of disorderly conduct causing physically offensive conditions to the alleged victims.

Before yesterday's hearing began, Assistant District Attorney Cindy Calarie said, that there is currently "no law to protect victims of this type of crime (baby scam) because no money passed hands."

During the hearing, Kittanning officer Greg Koprivnak testified before District Judge James Owen that in his opinion Slanina's actions caused physically offensive conditions for the Vests because they believed they would soon be adopting a baby.

Koprivnak said the couple flew to Pittsburgh, rented a car and arrived at Butler Memorial Hospital on Dec. 30 where they believed Slanina, or the woman known to them as Amiee, was in labor.

At the time of Slanina's arrest, while Koprivnik questioned the Vests, he said "Rebecca was crying profusely and didn't understand why someone would fake a pregnancy and uproot them from Idaho for a baby that didn't exist."

In addition to the emotional toll, Koprivnak said, the Vests spent $2,524.50 which included expenses for plane tickets, car rental, hotel accommodations, food and gas.

Defense attorney, Chuck Pascal, argued that Slanina never asked the Vests for money. Pascal asked Koprivnak if there is record of a text message in which Slanina specifically asked the Vests to come to Butler at a particular time: "Was there an overt invitation to come to Butler now?"

Koprivnak answered no, that it was inferred based on the sequence of messages sent between Slanina and the Vests and said that Slanina had sent a text to the Vests saying, "Please tell me you are coming."

Pascal asked Koprivnak: "Were they (the Vests) ever placed in physical danger by flying to Pennsylvania from Idaho?"

Koprivnak answered: "I don't know if I can answer that, I don't believe so."

Pascal responded that Slanina is "basically charged here because she lied."

"She (Slanina) lied to them (the Vests), creating a fantasy. She made up a persona and as a result of that, led them to believe she would give them her baby. Based on that they made a decision to fly to Pennsylvania," said Pascal.

He argued that the actions of the defendant do not meet the criteria for disorderly conduct causing physically offensive conditions and that the charges should be dismissed.

Calarie argued that Slanina had been engaged in "a very cruel game."

"The Vests were seriously inconvenienced," said Calarie. "She (Slanina) didn't get to the point of asking them for money because she was in jail."

Owen said he would take the matter under advisement and do some research before making a decision.

Bail was set at $25,000

The scammer wins again

She's won yet again.

 She sat in the courtroom yesterday and made mental notes of how to stay in the gray areas of the law so as not to face punishment now or for the future crimes she's planning. She's figuring out ways to get away with bigger crimes.  She knows now too that she can play the emotional scam for kicks and use that MO in the future so as not to get in trouble or face time in jail. 

Officer Greg emailed me early this morning with details of the preliminary hearing.  He had to drop the serious charge with no other felony to file to it.  He's praying and hoping that at this point the judge will at least keep the two misdemeanor charges, but he hasn't ruled on that yet.  Of course, he's extremely frustrated and spent countless personal hours trying to find something to keep her in jail to no avail.  There is just no money involved on this one and no law making this type of emotional, cruel, heartless scam a felony or even a crime for that matter.  Though the thoughts of other current victims who gave her money is heartwrenching, at this point, it would be the only saving factor this time around. 

Basically, there is nothing else he can do.  She will continue to do this and another state will be going through the same thing...trying to find something to charge her with.  Escentially, no state wants her there and they are just passing her around to another because they don't know what to do with her.

So now she will face another judgement which will basically lead to nothing and be re-paroled to Ohio and again, nothing will happen.  In a short while, she will be destroying other lives.