From Deseret News archives:
Prosecutors probe talk of baby selling
"That's under consideration at this time," Kent Morgan, a prosecutor with the Salt Lake District Attorney's Office, said Saturday.
"We have received information that (Rowland) is presently attempting to arrange bail by soliciting individuals to adopt a child who is alleged to be nonexistent."
A Sacramento couple interested in adopting a child of Rowland's said that is exactly what happened to them. In a telephone interview Saturday, Brian Farley told the Deseret Morning News that the California adoption agency he and his wife were using contacted them after talking with Rowland about giving up a boy for adoption.
Rowland, 28, is charged with first-degree murder, for allegedly refusing a recommended Caesarian section and later giving birth to twins, a girl and a stillborn boy. Prosecutors say they filed the charges because Rowland failed to seek medical care recommended to save the baby boy's life. She is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $250,000 bond. She could face life in prison if convicted.
Under the assumption that their adoption attorney had checked Rowland's background, Farley said, he and his wife agreed to accept collect telephone calls from the incarcerated woman. The calls began Feb. 26 and ended March 2, he said.
At the time of the last call, the couple believed Rowland had yet to deliver the baby boy, Farley said.
"Your emotions just go absolutely crazy when you hear, 'We have a kid,' " Farley said, cautioning parents looking to adopt to be careful.
"Check out your adoption agency," Farley added. "I'm furious that my adoption agency allowed this to happen."
Farley, 43, said he was unaware there was a twin involved until hearing a news report about Rowland's case on March 12 while on his way to work.
During all of the phone calls, Farley said, he told Rowland that he and his wife of nine years were mainly concerned the baby was healthy. Farley said he was told by Rowland, "You get me out of jail and I'll give you my child."
Farley said he was expected to come up with $5,000 for bail. It was his understanding that Rowland was in jail for child endangerment charges at the time. Farley said he even offered for him and his wife to fly to Salt Lake City and help Rowland through the birth.
Farley also said Rowland told him she was trying to get bail from one or more relatives in Florida. Farley said he was told by Rowland that she needed to have a Caesarean section and that she didn't want to have the child in jail. Rowland had already given birth, however, on Jan. 13.
