At least she isn't scamming at the moment...

A woman who allegedly attempted an adoption scam while living in Kittanning was apprehended last week in Ohio after eluding authorities in two states.

Amy Slanina, 33, was reportedly mired in a similar scam when an investigation revealed her actual identity and previous offenses.

According to the Ashland Times-Gazette, Slanina was taken into custody at a home in Ashland, Ohio, and is being held in the county jail for a probation violation while local officials consider further charges.

Slanina, who had been on the lam for more than two months, has an extensive criminal history of lying about her identity and pretending to be pregnant and abused in an effort to defraud victims of money and services.

She already was wanted in Knox County, Ohio, for a parole violation stemming from a 2010 scam when she used a false name last December to gain shelter at Helping All Victims In Need (HAVIN) in Kittanning.

Claiming to be the battered wife of a Pittsburgh police officer, Slanina used a cell phone and computer at the facility to communicate with Richard and Rebecca Vest — a couple from Idaho who believed Slanina was pregnant and willing to let them adopt her baby.

Authorities at HAVIN became suspicious of Slanina’s story, and Kittanning police arrested the woman on Dec. 30 for diversion of services, theft by deception and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Although Slanina had convinced the Vests to travel to Kittanning, District Judge James Owen dismissed two counts of disorderly conduct the following month because there was no proof she had asked the couple for money or put them in danger.

In April, Slanina appeared before Judge James Panchik which was to result in her extradition to Ohio.

However, Armstrong authorities were unable to locate her in September when she was again set to stand trial in Armstrong County for theft of services against HAVIN.

The Associated Press reported that a court summons mailed to the Ohio Reformatory for Women — where Slanina was thought to be incarcerated — was returned to sender with the word “Released” written on it.

Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi could not be reached on Tuesday for comment on the recent arrest, nor on how Slanina was able to disappear from authorities.

She surfaced last month at a shelter in Ashland in the midst of a similar scam. Slanina reportedly had told staff there she was again pregnant and had been abused by a police officer in Columbus.

Story unravels

She was attempting to file a PFA order against the man when authorities soon discovered he doesn’t exist and Slanina’s story unraveled. She was arrested at a home in Green Township on Nov. 30.

Jo Ellen Bowman, executive director of HAVIN, said she’s relieved Slanina is finally behind bars.

“I was advised she was once again engaged in her false pregnancies and adoption scam,” said Bowman.

“It’s unconscionable that she continues to inflict emotional pain on victims who believe she is pregnant and that they believe they will have the privilege of adopting her nonexistent child. I’m grateful to law enforcement for working so diligently to hold Amy Slanina accountable.”

Bowman said Slanina will eventually be returned to Armstrong County to face charges

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