Victims Testify At Muskogee Woman's Adoption Fraud Sentencing Hearing

The two-year investigation into an Oklahoma adoption scam uncovered victims in 22 states. Thursday, the Muskogee woman who claimed to have a baby for adoption had to face her victims in court.

Davanna Dotson pleaded guilty to fraud.

At Thursday's sentencing hearing, victims described how devastating it was to believe they were getting a child, to prepare nurseries and buy diapers and formula, only to find out it all just a big lie.

Victims from Kansas, Alabama, Ohio, Utah, Nevada and Virginia went to the federal courthouse in Muskogee to tell a judge what it was like having their hopes dashed and hearts broken by Davanna Dotson.

12/12/2012 Related Story: Green Country Woman Pleads Guilty To Fraud For Adoption Scam

They told a judge how Dotson claimed she had a little boy to place with a loving home. The couples, all planning to adopt the boy, sent her money she requested for diapers, formula and travel.

It didn't take long for them to realize there was no baby--it was all a lie.

"It seemed like she just kept going, one after another. She used bits and pieces of the same story. It's unbelievable someone could continue to do it over and over," said Heather Boyd, from Virginia.

Boyd refused to let it go and contacted News On 6. After our stories aired, Muskogee detective Lynn Hamlin and FBI Agent Mark Noall uncovered all the other victims and spent two years bringing this case to justice.

9/22/2011 Related Story: Muskogee Woman Accused Of Adoption Fraud

Victims told the judge how the deception and heartbreak still affects them today.

"It happened so fast, it was more of a sinking feeling when it happened. I didn't get angry in the courtroom today. It was interesting, looking her in the eye for the first time," Boyd said.

Dotson cried when she saw her own family in court Thursday, but victims say she's never shown any remorse for what she did to them.

When I interviewed her on the phone in 2011, she was defiant, said her lies didn't hurt anyone, and she didn't think she'd done anything wrong.

Police say, even after her arrest, she continued contacting couples.

Boyd is one victim who got a happy ending after eight years of trying and being told she would never conceive. She and her husband will soon have a son, due in September.

The judge didn't make his decision on sentencing Thursday. He said he needed to think over all the testimony.

Dotson could get up to 20 years in federal prison.