LAURA OWENS
Laura Michelle Owens
Laura Michelle Owens was born to longtime San Francisco broadcasters Ronn Owens and Jan Black. Her father spent more than forty years at KGO Radio and was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2007. Her mother, also known professionally as Elizabeth Naylor, built her career in radio, journalism, and podcast production.
Despite her parents’ respected public careers, Laura’s own public profile has become defined by a series of legal controversies involving fabricated pregnancy claims and allegations from multiple reported victims.
Owens is an Arizona woman best known for her 2023 paternity case against former Bachelor contestant Clayton Echard. She filed a petition to establish paternity in May 2023, which led to extensive litigation, multiple expert reports, and a detailed 2024 family court ruling that dismissed her claims and identified significant problems with the evidence she submitted.
Her case later resulted in criminal investigations and indictments by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, which remain pending.
Laura owens
Timeline: Laura Owens & Clayton Echard Legal Dispute
Timeline: Victims of Laura Owens
April 3, 2023
- Clayton Echard announces publicly via Instagram that he has become a real estate agent in the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas
May 17, 2023
- Laura contacts Clayton on LinkedIn, inquiring about real estate properties
May 20, 2023
- After a flirtatious exchange of text messages, he invites Laura over. Both partake in THC gummies. Laura Owens and Clayton Echard reportedly engaged in a non-penetrative sexual encounter. Laura later claims Clayton raped her, but she refrained from pressing charges.
May 21, 2023
- While viewing properties the next day, Clayton tells Laura that hooking up the night before was a “mistake” and he wanted their relationship to remain strictly professional. Laura begins to cry uncontrollably. She wants to pursue a relationship, but at the very least, to have Clayton be her real estate agent. No paperwork claiming to be Laura’s real estate agent was ever signed
May 22, 2023
- Clayton feels uncomfortable with Laura’s behavior and declines to be her real estate agent. He then transfers Laura to another agent
May 25, 2023
- Laura incessantly contacts Clayton, which prompts Clayton to threaten to call the police and block Laura’s phone number
May 30, 2023
- Owens sent Echard a photo of a positive pregnancy test, later claiming she was pregnant with twins.
May 31, 2023
- Laura takes an at-home pregnancy (hCG) test. After initially claiming it yielded a negative result (source), she later states a faint positive line was present
June 1, 2023
- Laura visits Banner Urgent Care in Scottsdale, AZ. Laura produces a positive hCG test. Which she sends to Clayton
June 4, 2023
- Clayton contacts Laura’s mother (Jan Black/Elizabeth Naylor/Elizabeth Owens), requesting to speak on the phone. Jan states Clayton needs to give the relationship a chance before she’d be willing to talk to him
June 17, 2023
- Clayton agrees to meet with Laura. He then asks her to take an hCG test, with which she complies. The result is positive (source)
June 21, 2023
- When confronted with evidence that anti-seizure medication can cause a false positive hCG test, Laura disagreed.
June 28, 2023
- Laura emailed Clayton entitled “Having the baby if I don’t hear back tonight,” in which she states that having sex with her is the safest thing he can do, as she is already pregnant with his child. She also said she would have an abortion only if he agreed to give her a chance in a relationship.
July 1, 2023
- Laura sends Clayton an email entitled “The final opportunity to consider abortion.” In it, she sends Clayton a Dropbox link with “Pregnancy evidence.”
July 2, 2023
- Laura emails Clayton’s parents, inviting them to attend an ultrasound appointment (image; source). In her affidavit dated April 16, 2024, Laura asserts she visited Planned Parenthood in Mission Viejo with her mother on July 2, 2023. In a response to Clayton’s legal counsel, Planned Parenthood confirms that while Laura did have an appointment scheduled for July 2, she canceled it. During her testimony at the trial on June 10, Laura altered her narrative, claiming instead that she had gone to a Planned Parenthood in LA on that day (source) *All Planned Parenthood locations in LA are closed on Sundays*
July 10, 2023
- Laura sends Clayton a photo of her alleged ultrasound from Planned Parenthood (image)
July 19-23, 2023
- Laura competes in multiple events at the Blenheim Summer Festival on her horse Scirocco 91
July 23, 2023
- Laura, along with her attorney David Gingras, states she passed two “less than hand-sized fetal sacs” on this date. Laura reportedly consulted a telehealth doctor, who advised her that an in-person visit was unnecessary. Additionally, Laura claims to have texted photos of the fetal sacs to her sister Sarah and her doctor. In later filings, Laura claimed that she and her sister, Sarah Navarro, deleted these images and declined to provide any evidence of them during the discovery process (source)
July 24, 2023
- Laura claims to have scheduled an appointment with OB/GYN Dr. Joshua Makhoul. No proof of this appointment has ever been provided (source)
July 31, 2023
- Laura files a police report with Scottsdale PD, stating Clayton has been “threatening, intimidating, verbally abusing, endangering, and extorting her”. When the responding officer suggests Clayton’s number, Laura doesn’t want to because she “wants to know what thinking” (source)
August 2023
- Owens filed a paternity lawsuit against Echard in Maricopa County, Arizona, seeking child support.
September 2023
- Echard underwent a paternity test, which revealed “little to no fetal DNA.”
October 2023
- Both parties obtained Orders of Protection against each other.
November 7, 2023
- Laura Owens tried to change her name. Application/Petition for Name Change
December 2023
- Owens claimed she had miscarried and requested dismissal of the paternity case.
February 21, 2024
- Owens asserted she had lost the pregnancy in “September or October” of the previous year.
June 10, 2024
- An evidentiary hearing was held. Owens committed perjury multiple times and accused Echard of rape, a claim not substantiated.
June 18, 2024
- Judge Julie Mata ruled in favor of Echard, stating Owens’ claims were fraudulent and referring the case to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for further investigation. The judge has ordered Laura Owens to pay restitution for Clayton Echard’s legal fees, totaling $149,219.76.
September 8, 2024
- Laura Owens filed a Notice of Appeal to Judge Julie Mata’s ruling.
November 14, 2024
- Laura Owens filed an appeal with the Arizona Court of Appeals to overturn Judge Julie Mata’s ruling.
November 18, 2024
- Laura Michelle Owens launches her own Patreon and YouTube podcast. Source
January 29, 2025.
- Scottsdale Police Department Special Assignments Unit executes a search warrant at the residence of Laura Michelle Owens on behalf of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The warrant, signed by Judge Tara Prochko, authorizes a search of the property for evidence related to MCAO allegations of perjury, tampering with evidence, and theft by extortion. Laura Owens is residing in a detached casita at the rear of the property, while her elderly parents Jan and Ron live in the main house. Source
- 6:00 a.m. – SAU detectives attend a search warrant briefing led by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Detectives are advised that:
• Laura Michelle Owens resides in a casita behind the main house.
• Her elderly parents, Ron and Jan Owens, live in the main house.
• MCAO states there is probable cause for arrest for perjury, tampering with evidence, and theft by extortion, but SAU is instructed not to arrest her, only to secure and detain briefly so MCAO can conduct the search. - 6:45 a.m. – Multiple detectives including Fulp, Silva, and others arrive on scene in semi marked and unmarked police vehicles wearing gray SAU uniforms and tactical vests marked POLICE.
- 6:47 a.m. – Detective Buckner issues multiple knock and announce commands at the front door of the main residence.
- 6:47–6:50 a.m. – Jan Owens, described as an elderly female, opens the front door after hesitation. Detectives enter and begin clearing the main structure. Several detectives explicitly note they did not break anything or use force on any occupants inside the house.
- 6:50 a.m. – Detectives clearing the house hear over radio that Laura Owens is inside the casita and refusing to exit.
- 6:50–6:55 a.m. – Detectives shift to the casita. Observations include:
- Laura is behind a slightly open sliding glass door.
She argues with detectives, states she is calling her lawyer, then shuts and locks the door.
She walks to her bed and continues refusing commands. - Detective Silva covers the north gate area and hears radio updates about her refusal to exit.
- Laura reportedly claims officers are not real police, complains about the early hour, and alleges she is being assaulted. Multiple detectives document that they observed no force used against her.
- The scene is turned over to MCAO detectives to perform their search. SAU involvement concludes.
- 6:55 a.m. – After calling her attorney, Laura eventually complies and exits the casita. She is escorted into the main residence by Detective Craun. Detectives note she continued to complain that she was being assaulted, but officers deny any force beyond escorting.
- 7:30 a.m. – The event end time recorded in the official report.
March 28, 2025
- Laura Owens Appeal Denied
May 6, 2025
- A Maricopa County grand jury indicted Owens on seven felony counts, including fraudulent schemes, forgery, perjury, and tampering with physical evidence. Source
- A grand jury has indicted Owens on the following: Indictment
- One count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a Class Two Felony
- One count of Forgery, a Class Four Felony
- Four counts of Perjury, a Class Four Felony
- One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class Six Felony.
May 7, 2025
- Owens released a statement denying the allegations, claiming the charges were the result of a coordinated harassment campaign and public pressure. Source
- Laura Owens issues a public press release responding to the seven felony charges filed against her, alleging that the indictment resulted from coordinated harassment, misinformation, and pressure from a group calling itself Justice for Clayton. She states she has never been charged with a crime before, asserts that she had lab-confirmed positive pregnancy tests, criticizes the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for failing to engage in required disability-related accommodations, and argues that the charges were influenced by public pressure rather than facts. She states she intends to fight the accusations fully.
May 29, 2025
- 9:00 AM Arraignment Hearing: Laura Owens pleads not guilty to charges of fraudulent schemes, perjury & forgery in alleged paternity scheme involving Clayton Echard.
- Pretrial hearing is on July 11, 2025 and trial is on October 23, 2025.
- Judge granted a release on her own recognizance.
June 27, 2025
- JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. files a civil complaint against Ronn Owens and Elizabeth Naylor, also known as Jan Black or Jan Owens, for Breach of Contract, Open Account, and Account Stated. The bank seeks a principal award of $51,861.07, along with any additional relief the Court finds appropriate. Around the same time, Ronn Owens and Elizabeth or Jan file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. Their bankruptcy schedules list approximately 46 creditors, including both individuals and companies. Among the listed creditors are Sarah and Christian Navarro, the couple’s eldest daughter and son in law.
July 11, 2025
- 8:15 AM PreTrial Conference
October 23, 2025
- 9:00 AM – Criminal Court Trial
November 6, 2025
- Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced the indictment of Laura Michelle Owens* (DOB: 05/1990) on felony charges related to a false claim of pregnancy involving a second victim. Source
- In 2021, the victim began dating Laura Owens, but after the third date, he decided not to continue the relationship. Owens then claimed to be pregnant by him. MCAO investigators found evidence that Owens falsified documents to bolster this claim.
- Owens was indicted on the following felony charges:
- One count of Perjury, a Class Four Felony
- One count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, A Class Two Felony
- Two counts of Taking the Identity of Another, a Class Four Felony
- Two counts of Forgery, a Class Four Felony
- One count of Theft by Extort-Accuse of Crime, a Class Four Felony
- These charges are in addition to those involving victim Clayton Echard.
January 2026
- Trial in the Echard case is set for January 2026.
Laura owens
Timeline: Legal Dockets
Laura Owens: Police Reports
Case Records
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Laura owens
Timeline: Legal Records
Laura Owens:
Case Records
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Laura Owens Paternity Case Docket Timeline, 2024
Jan 2, 2024.
Motion to Withdraw as Counsel for Petitioner with Client Consent.
Jan 2, 2024.
Expedited Motion to Quash Deposition of Petitioner.
Jan 3, 2024.
Motion for Sanctions pursuant to Rule 26.
Jan 3, 2024.
Respondent’s Reply to Petitioner’s Response to Expedited Motion to Extend Dismissal Date.
Jan 3, 2024.
Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Motion to Dismiss Petition to Establish Paternity, Legal Decision Making, Parenting Time, and Child Support with Prejudice.
Jan 4, 2024.
Respondent’s Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Expedited Motion to Quash Deposition of Petitioner.
Jan 10, 2024.
Petitioner’s Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice.
Jan 11, 2024.
Notice of Appearance on behalf of Petitioner.
Jan 17, 2024.
Petitioner’s Motion for Confidentiality.
Jan 17, 2024.
Order for Withdrawal of Counsel.
Jan 17, 2024.
Notice of Petitioner’s Non Appearance at Deposition.
Jan 18, 2024.
Minute Entry, Withdrawal of Counsel.
Jan 19, 2024.
Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Motion for Confidentiality and Preliminary Protective Order.
Jan 23, 2024.
Petitioner’s Response to Motion for Sanctions pursuant to Rule 26.
Jan 25, 2024.
Order regarding Petitioner’s Motion to Dismiss Petition to Establish Paternity, Legal Decision Making, Parenting Time, and Child Support with Prejudice.
Jan 25, 2024.
Reply to Petitioner’s Response to Motion for Sanctions pursuant to Rule 26.
Jan 26, 2024.
Amended Response to Petition to Establish Paternity.
Jan 31, 2024.
Reply to Respondent’s Response to Petitioner’s Motion for Confidentiality and Preliminary Protective Order.
Feb 2, 2024.
Order for Evidentiary Hearing.
Feb 6, 2024.
Defendant’s Expedited Motion to Continue Trial and Motion for Additional Trial Time.
Feb 12, 2024.
Defendant’s Expedited Motion to Set Virtual Status Conference.
Feb 14, 2024.
Order, Petitioner’s Motion to Dismiss Petition to Establish Paternity denied.
Feb 14, 2024.
Order, Petitioner’s Motion for Confidentiality and Preliminary Protective Order denied.
Feb 15, 2024.
Status Conference set.
Feb 16, 2024.
Order regarding Petitioner’s Motion to Quash Deposition of Petitioner, denied.
Feb 20, 2024.
Notice of Change of Firm.
Feb 21, 2024.
Minute Entry, case continued.
Feb 26, 2024.
Case continued on dismissal calendar.
Mar 11, 2024.
Motion to Compel.
Mar 12, 2024.
Motion to Withdraw as Attorney of Record for Petitioner with Client Consent.
Mar 18, 2024.
Order granting Motion to Withdraw as Attorney of Record for Petitioner.
Mar 25, 2024.
Notice of Appearance.
Mar 25, 2024.
Motion for Joint Hearing pursuant to Rule 5(a)(4).
Apr 1, 2024.
Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Respondent’s Motion to Compel.
Apr 3, 2024.
Motion to Withdraw Motion for Sanctions pursuant to Rule 26.
Apr 4, 2024.
Notice of Non Objection.
Apr 5, 2024.
Judge denying Motion for Extension of Time.
Apr 8, 2024.
Motion to Compel Lunch and for Alternative Relief.
Apr 9, 2024.
Order granting Respondent’s Motion to Compel.
Apr 10, 2024.
Laura Owens’ Bar Complaint against Gregg Woodnick.
Apr 10, 2024.
Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Motion to Compel Lunch and for Alternative Relief.
Apr 10, 2024.
Exhibits for Response to Petitioner’s Motion to Compel Lunch, parts 1 and 2.
Apr 12, 2024.
Request for Judicial Notice.
Apr 12, 2024.
Reply in Support of Motion to Compel Lunch and for Alternative Relief.
Apr 26, 2024.
Motion granted for Joint Hearing.
Apr 26, 2024.
Motion granted for Request for Judicial Notice.
Apr 26, 2024.
Amended Motion for Relief from Judgment based on Fraud.
Apr 26, 2024.
Petitioner’s Response to Respondent’s Amended Motion for Relief based on Fraud, including Dr. Samantha Deans’ expert report.
Apr 30, 2024.
Emergency Motion to Strike and Request for Immediate Telephonic Scheduling Conference.
Apr 30, 2024.
Motion in Limine.
Apr 30, 2024.
Reply to Petitioner’s Response to Respondent’s Amended Motion for Relief based on Fraud.
May 1, 2024.
Motion to Compel Lunch, denied.
May 1, 2024.
Laura Owens’ Bar Complaint against Alexis Lindvall, Petitioner’s December 2023 lawyer.
May 2, 2024.
Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Emergency Motion to Strike and Request for Immediate Scheduling Conference.
May 3, 2024.
Reply in Support of Emergency Motion to Strike and Request for Immediate Telephonic Scheduling Conference.
May 7, 2024.
Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Motion in Limine, parts 1 and 2.
May 10, 2024.
Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Renewed Motion to Dismiss, oral argument requested.
May 13, 2024.
Notice of Non Availability and Notice of Errata.
May 13, 2024.
Reply in Support of Petitioner’s Motion in Limine.
May 15, 2024.
Notice of Filing Affidavit of Financial Information, sealed from the public.
May 15, 2024.
Response and Objection to Petitioner’s Motion for Judgment.
May 16, 2024.
Motion granting withdrawal of Motion for Sanctions and affirming date and time for court on June 10.
May 21, 2024.
Stipulated Motion for Virtual Appearance of Witness.
May 22, 2024.
Motions from the court, partially granting Amended Motion for Relief based on Fraud and denying Emergency Motion to Strike, denying request for phone conference, denying Motion in Limine, denying request for oral argument.
May 22, 2024.
Reply in Support of Petitioner’s Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and Renewed Motion to Dismiss.
May 28, 2024.
Request for Court Reporter.
May 29, 2024.
Minute Entry, ruling.
Jun 3, 2024.
Petitioner’s Pretrial Statement.
Jun 3, 2024.
Request for Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and proposed findings.
Jun 3, 2024.
Respondent’s Pretrial Statement.
Jun 3, 2024.
Ethical Rule 3.3 Notice of Candor.
Jun 6, 2024.
Notice of Association, limited scope, of counsel within the same firm.
Jun 7, 2024.
Addendum to Petitioner’s Pretrial Statement.
Jun 12, 2024.
Order allowing Dr. Samantha Deans to appear virtually for the trial.
Jun 13, 2024.
Minute Entry, matter under advisement.
Jun 18, 2024.
Exhibits Worksheet filed.
Jun 18, 2024.
Minute Entry, under advisement ruling.
Jul 8, 2024.
Application for attorney fees and costs.
Jul 8, 2024.
Notice of Change of Judge for Cause, memorandum and affidavit in support, with exhibits A through D and the June 10, 2024 transcript.
Jul 11, 2024.
Response to Notice of Change of Judge for Cause.
Jul 12, 2024.
Motion to Vacate Judgment, Motion for New Trial, alternatively Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment, and Motion for Leave to Exceed Page Limits.
Jul 18, 2024.
Minute Entry, ruling denying Motion to Vacate Judgment, Motion for New Trial, alternatively Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment, and Motion for Leave to Exceed Page Limits.
Jul 23, 2024.
Minute Entry, case status entry delaying previous ruling.
Jul 29, 2024.
Petitioner’s Response and Objection to Respondent’s Application for Attorney Fees and Costs.
Aug 13, 2024.
Minute Entry, Change of Judge for Cause denied.
Aug 14, 2024.
David Gingras’ Bar Complaint Response, parts 1 and 2, and supplement.
Aug 21, 2024.
Order regarding Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs.
Sep 5, 2024.
Notice of Appeal.
Sep 9, 2024.
Minute Entry, ruling.
Sep 9, 2024.
Amended Notice of Appeal.
Oct 7, 2024.
Appeals Transmittal Receipt.
Oct 7, 2024.
Appeals Index.
Oct 11, 2024.
Court of Appeals Order Transfer.
Laura Owens Court Docket Timeline, 2025
May 6, 2025.
Indictment of Laura Owens.
May 22, 2025.
Minute Entry regarding courtroom media access for the May 29 hearing.
May 29, 2025.
Arraignment hearing. Not guilty plea entered.
June 11, 2025.
Motion for Temporary Removal of Official Court Files, Transcripts, or Exhibits pursuant to Local Rule 2.8(e).
June 11, 2025.
Temporary Release Receipt for Official Court Files, Transcripts, or Exhibits.
June 17, 2025.
Return Receipt for Temporary Removal of Official Court Files, Transcripts, or Exhibits.
June 25, 2025.
State’s Allegation of Aggravating Circumstances.
June 25, 2025.
Notice of State’s Rule 15.2 Request for Physical Evidence and Request for Leave to Take Physical Evidence.
June 25, 2025.
State’s Notice of Disclosure and Request for Disclosure.
June 25, 2025.
State’s Allegation of Multiple Offenses Not Committed on the Same Occasion.
June 27, 2025.
Release Receipt for Official Court Files, Transcripts, or Exhibits.
July 1, 2025.
Minute Entry, fingerprints request granted.
July 9, 2025.
Motion to Extend Time to File Motion to Remand to Grand Jury.
July 10, 2025.
Notice of Defenses and Request for Notice of Rebuttal Witnesses.
July 11, 2025.
Initial Pretrial Conference Statement.
July 11, 2025.
State’s Motion for Protective Order.
July 14, 2025.
Minute Entry, Initial Pretrial Conference.
July 18, 2025.
Motion for Complex Case Designation.
July 23, 2025.
Order Granting Restriction of Protected Information from Victim Laptop.
July 24, 2025.
State’s Motion for Protective Order granted.
July 30, 2025.
Minute Entry, granting 12News permission to film the August 11 hearing.
August 4, 2025.
Return Receipt for Temporary Removal of Court Files, Transcripts, or Exhibits.
August 11, 2025.
Comprehensive Pretrial Conference Statement.
August 11, 2025.
Minute Entry, Complex Case Order entered.
August 28, 2025.
Request for Declaration of Indigency and to Appoint Investigator and Experts.
September 3, 2025.
Minute Entry, travel request granted.
September 4, 2025.
Minute Entry, indigency status granted.
September 16, 2025.
Motion to Modify Conditions of Release to Allow for Travel.
September 18, 2025.
Minute Entry, travel request granted.
September 18, 2025.
Minute Entry, virtual appearance request granted.
September 25, 2025.
Minute Entry, Complex Case Management Conference.