Bittersweet Justice: North Dakota
Occasionally there is justice for those negatively affected by the child welfare and adoption systems. Unfortunately, it is usually bittersweet and much too late. This will serve as REFORM Talk’s justice files.
Amy Petrick aka Amy Galloway was charged and convicted of (domestic) adoption fraud last year in North Dakota. Jesse Hutchinson was also convicted of one count of wired fraud. The Bismarck Tribune said in April of last year “Authorities accuse the couple of being involved in a scheme to defraud aspiring adoptive parents through a San Antonio-based adoption service. The couple also are accused of defrauding Grand Forks County Social Services assistance programs.”
By May 23, 2010, they requested a change of plea to guilty. “Two Grand Forks residents say they will plead guilty in an adoption fraud case. Amy Petrick, also known as Amy Galloway, and Jesse Hutchison had pleaded not guilty in federal court to four counts, including mail and wire fraud. Both have requested change of plea hearings, which have not been set.”
By June 10, 2010, Jesse tried to change his mind about the guilty plea. “Jesse Hutchison pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud earlier this month, but has since changed his mind. A judge has not ruled on his motion to withdraw the plea.”
On July 16, 2010, the judge denied Jesse’s appeal to change his guilty plea. “Hutchison said he should have been allowed to withdraw the plea because his decision-making was influenced by a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome.
Amy was “sentenced to six months in a halfway house and six months home confinement in an adoption fraud case…She also received three years probation.”
“Hutchison was sentenced last month to three years probation on one count of wire fraud. He was ordered to spend up to four months in a halfway house and receive a mental evaluation.”
It was reported on June 1, 2011, that Amy now “has been ordered behind bars for violating terms of her sentence.
Amy Petrick originally was sentenced in September 2010 to six months in a halfway house and six months of home confinement, after she pleaded guilty to two federal fraud charges.
Authorities say Petrick failed to obey rules at a Fargo halfway house and lied to a probation officer. U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson sentenced her to five months in prison.”
Grand Forks couple charged with adoption fraud
[The Bismarck Tribune 4/10/10]
Grand Forks pair will plead guilty in adoption fraud
[The Bismarck Tribune 5/23/10]
Man wants to change plea in adoption fraud scheme
[The Bismarck Tribune 6/10/10]
Judge rejects appeal in adoption case
[The Bismarck Tribune 7/16/10]
Grand Forks woman sentenced in adoption fraud case
[The Bismarck Tribune 9/25/10]
ND woman convicted in adoption fraud case sentenced to prison for violating terms of sentence
[Greenfield Reporter 6/1/11 by Associated Press]
i know this girl…..she is insane…..sounds like she already has her hooks into a guy in Grand Forks……i'd be watching her like a hawk
I know this girl also… she has brought alot of harm to many families. Sounds like justice has finally caught her in her lies. You cannot believe a word she says…
I also know this mentally ill person. She is now pregnant, again. I do not think that she should be allowed to have children or be around children at all. I think she should have been sent to prison for a long time.
She it a total sociopath, she will do and say ANYTHING! There are no limits to what this woman is capable of and hurting kids has never been enough to stop her. She should be in jail!
Well she is pregnant AGAIN!! And has her hooks in my brother. I think she is dangerous and should not be able to keep this baby. She also watches my brother's 6 yr old daughter which I think she should not be able to do….She is impersonating a nurse on facebook. ( Isn't there a law against that?) I do not think she should be in jail. I think she should be commited to an institution for the Mentally Insane for the rest of our lives!
I also know this woman and yes she is pregnant. I also know the man she has brain-washed into believing her lies. Please pray for that poor, helpless unborn child to be taken away from her and also pray for the man whose life she has been attempting to destroy for the past three years.
Amy petrick is the worst human being I have ever met. She managed to completely ruin my life in 6 months.
All of the other comments are completely true.
Her game is tricking people into thinking that she’s a decent person, and then robs them blind.