Springdale woman accused of defrauding prospective adoptive parents

Julita Jabuwe
Julita Jabuwe

BENTONVILLE -- A Springdale woman is accused of taking money from two couples who wanted to adopt her baby.

Julita Jabuwe, 35, was arrested Wednesday in connection with defrauding a prospective adoptive parent, a felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. She was being held in the Benton County Jail with no bond set Friday. Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against Jubuwe.

John and Tia Banks of Clayton, N.C., reported to Rogers police Jan. 20 they were in the process of adopting Jabuwe's unborn child, but learned she was working with another family, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The child was born Jan. 15 at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, but they were not allowed to take custody of the baby, and they have not been reimbursed for any of the money they provided Jabuwe, according to the affidavit.

The couple reported they gave Vaughn-Michael Cordes, their attorney, with $28,000, half of which was for attorney fees and court costs and the other half was for Jabuwe, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Police obtained Jabuwe's adoptive support payment log that showed Jabuwe received $11,021 from Cordes between June 18, 2015, to Dec. 31, 2015, according to the affidavit.

Jubuwe also was working with the Woodruff Law Firm for another couple to adopt her baby, according to the affidavit.

Police obtained records that showed Jubuwe received $13,708 in compensation between June 15, 2015, and Jan. 28, 2016, from the other set of adoptive parents.

Two women pleaded guilty last year in Benton County Circuit Court to defrauding prospective adoptive parent.

Molita Elcar, 33, of Siloam Springs admitted in September 2015 she took money from two sets of adoptive parents while pregnant.

Rehab Jokna, 41, of Springdale admitted in October 2015 to taking money from lawyers who represented two sets of prospective adoptive parents.

Elcar and Jokna were each placed on 10 years' state-supervised probation and ordered to repay all the money they received from the couples that did not adopt the babies.

NW News on 06/25/2016

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