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Adoption scammer confronted on Dr. Phil
Filed under: Adoption
I've never seen an episode of Dr. Phil, but I wished I had seen these two episodes. Apparently, last week a woman who scammed a family who thought they were adopting her baby was revealed and confronted on the show by the same family.
It appears this "person", Bella Kampanelli aka Melissa Christiansen, a known adoption scammer, was bilking other families out of their money as well. After she got caught by the authorities, her explanation of her behavior was that she "wanted to feel special to somebody"--the somebody being at least five different families she coerced into paying her bills and believing that her baby would go to them. To top it off, she was not even pregnant.
It goes without saying that people like Melissa Christiansen are the scum of the Earth, and they should have the book thrown at them. As we've said here before, if you choose to pursue an adoption where you deal directly with the birthmother, it pays to do as much due diligence as possible, including background checks. Of course, it may prove difficult for the other party to cooperate, but if they don't, it means they're probably up to something and it would be better for you to walk away. The end result could be devastating heartbreak for you.
If anyone has seen these shows, please comment here and let us know what exactly transpired.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-28-2008 @ 10:46PM
I know said...http://www.rivertowns.net/daily/pch/c080828/
http://www.rivertowns.net/daily/pch/c080828/
Pierce County woman indicted in adoption scheme
Pierce County Scoreboard
Pierce County woman indicted in adoption scheme
A federal grand jury in Madison has indicted a Maiden Rock woman on charges of wire fraud in connection with an adoption scheme.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office for western district of Wisconsin, Melissa Christensen, 31, has been charged in a 16-count indictment this week by a federal grand jury.
The indictment alleges that Christensen told several individuals that she was having a baby and wanted to put the child up for adoption. The indictment alleges that she never intended to provide a baby.
The indictment also alleges that Christensen received money from the victims for phone bills, travel, bail and other items.
According to the indictment, Christiansen contacted individuals in Texas, Arkansas, Virginia and Ohio about the adoption.
If convicted, Christensen faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each county.
The case was investigated by both the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Reply
2-26-2007 @ 8:11AM
Emily said...There were three of the scammed women on the show. The show first tried going to Melissa's house and she refused to come out and there was a guy with a gun inside so they left. She eventually agreed to talk and came to the show but only wanted to talk to one of the women she scammed. She had told this woman that the child died and said she was mailing the death certificate and childs ashes which of course the woman never received. Dr. Phil said she liked pulling a power trip on the other women by continuing to deny them any kind of closure by talking to them. I think she did eventually but i missed part of the second episode. This woman is beyond horrible.
Reply
2-25-2007 @ 7:59PM
Wendy said...I saw the first one, but for some reason they showed a rerun on Friday which was suppose to be the second part.
This woman appeared (and Dr. Phil mentioned it) to get a jones from decieving these people. I think one woman didnt even pay money. She got out of the "adoptions" by claiming that she miscarried the baby. One woman was even on the plane to meet her when she left the message. There didnt seem to be much resolution on the first show. She refused to speak to 2 of the women. She felted closer to the one she actually talk to. The one who spoke to her convinced her to speak to the other ladies and that is when the first show ended.
I have seen too many of these stories. I think if people really want to adopt they should go through a lawyer. It may cost more, but can you really put a price on your sanity or heartbreak.
Reply
2-26-2007 @ 12:54AM
Katrina said...I saw both episodes. On the 2nd show she finally agreed to talk with all of the women. She couldn't ever remember 1 of the ladies....now thats sad. From what they said she doesn't even ask for money from most of the women-only 1 of the 3 ladies on the show had paid her bills and stuff. I think it totaled about 2k.
People like that are just SICK.
Reply
2-26-2007 @ 6:13PM
Victim said...I am one of the victims. These women did have legit Attorneys and/or Agencies. She conned them all.
Some of the victims did not appear on the show. They had actually let her stay in their home. She conned one victim that lived in her hometown. She was conning her "neighbor" and the most recent victim at the same time.
Reply
3-05-2007 @ 3:13PM
local said...I live in Maiden Rock, where she (Melissa) is from. She did lie and scam the women on Dr Phil, but she also used some of the local people here for various other crimes/scam. She scammed a local couple into believing she was pregnant and searching for adoptive parents. She used another locals name in another adoption scam. She used yet anothers picture to send to people (men) for forming relationships on my space. This goes on and on, its terrible for everyone of course, the locals have to face the town each day, even drive by her house. Its a daily struggle.
Reply
3-22-2007 @ 6:04PM
kim.kim said...I think adoption lawyers are the scum of the earth, it all depends on what your experience has been I guess.
The way adoption is handled in America is sick and coercive, if things were run in an ethical way you wouldn't have adoption scams.
Reply
7-27-2007 @ 4:05AM
czblogger said...If you're curious, you can visit the Dr.Phil web site to click on slides detailing what happened on those shows:
http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/852/
Reply