Former Bachelor star Clayton Echard is pushing for accountability after a legal battle over false paternity claims resulted in criminal charges against his accuser.
Arizona woman Laura Owens has been charged with multiple felonies, including fraud, forgery and perjury, for allegedly falsifying medical records that said she was pregnant with Echard’s children. Owens has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her attorney told Luxury Handbag Shopping that Owens should be presumed innocent.
Echard, who now works as a real estate agent, spoke to Kristin Thorne on the latest episode of Luxury Handbag Shopping’s Uncovered about the case and his hopes that Owens will be “held accountable.”
“How do we deter future perpetrators from doing this? We hold them accountable,” he said. “If, you know, Laura is locked up in prison for five, 10 years, well that’s gonna probably make a perpetrator go, ‘Hmm, I probably shouldn’t do this.’”
The case first became public in August 2023, when an anonymous woman filed court documents claiming Echard got her pregnant during a one-night stand on May 20. She claimed in the August 1 filing that she “engaged in sexual activity” with Echard and “hadn’t been with anyone since March of 2022,” meaning he had to be the father of the twins she said were due in February 2024.
Echard has adamantly denied the claims.
Clayton Echard and Laura Owens Met Over a Real Estate Deal
Echard explained to Thorne that he first met Owens when she contacted him about looking for a home. He said they exchanged information and kept things professional, though one night he was “under the influence of marijuana” and he invited her to come over after she sent him a provocative photo.
“She performed oral sex and then 11 days later she claimed she was pregnant,” Echard said. “She sent me an email with a positive pregnancy test stating she was pregnant.”
Echard told her that the claims were “ridiculous” because they “never had sex.” He added, “She just kept pushing and then she said, ‘No, I am pregnant.’”
Owens went on to send Echard videos where “her stomach looked pregnant.”
Owens submitted a sample, which showed “little to no fetal DNA.” However, she said that the test was not conclusive and that there was an issue with the sample.
She also said she has several lab tests which prove she was pregnant, which include a urine test and a blood test.
Laura Owens Demanded Clayton Echard to Take a Paternity Test
Owens demanded that Echard take a paternity test. While she claimed he “refused” her request, Echard posted receipts showing he had scheduled and paid $725 for the test. He confirmed via Instagram that he would take his “portion of the test on the 27th of September” and that his ex would “take her portion the 2nd of October” in 2023.
Clayton Echard Claimed Laura Owens Accused Other Men of Paternity
Echard told Thorne in April 2026 that he received a direct message from one of the alleged previous victims’ now-wife. “Hey, look at this court case. You’re not alone,” he recalled her writing, stating that he later looked into the court system and confirmed “there’s a previous victim.”
Clayton Echard Publicly Revealed the Paternity Results
When the paternity test results came back in October 2023, Echard announced the findings in an Instagram video.
“The test results came back early and they said little to no fetal DNA present. Let’s go baby!” he said. “I knew that was going to happen and thankfully five months of torture can finally be put to rest.”
He continued: “Two false accusations in two years — I really don’t want to look ahead to next year to see what will happen. I think two false accusations in a lifetime is enough. … This has been a trying time but I learned so much about myself and now back to the regularly scheduled program.”
Owens disputed the results. “Regardless of what Clayton says, the test is not inconclusive. The ‘testing is ongoing’ because they said that there was an issue with my sample and that they need another sample from me, which I am giving first thing on Wednesday,” she claimed to Us.
Clayton Echard Reacted to Court Ruling in His Favor
The paternity trial began on Monday, June 10, 2024, and concluded on June 18, with the court siding with Echard.
According to the ruling, “Laura Owens knowingly presented a false claim, knowingly violated a court order compelling disclosure or discovery such that an award of attorney fees and costs is appropriate.” Echard was granted his Petition for Non-Paternity and will be paid for attorney fees.
The court also noted Owens’ past claims and recommended further investigation. “It is further ordered, the Court having determined that Laura Owens has a pattern of similar, if not identical behavior, and court involvement, referring this matter to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review of Laura Owen’s actions,” the ruling reads.
Echard’s lawyer, Gregg Woodnick, celebrated the ruling in a statement to Us. “We are pleased with the outcome and Judge Mata’s thorough ruling,” he said. “We hope this is the end of a long saga for all the victims.”
Laura Owens Faced With Criminal Charges After Paternity Lawsuit
Owens was formally indicted in May 2025 and has appeared in court several times since. Prosecutors have offered her a plea deal set to expire in a few weeks. Her attorney, Christian Lueders, told Us that they’re “not yet at the point in this case where we are ready to seriously consider a plea agreement.”
“But we’re working diligently and that time could come in the next several weeks,” Lueders continued. He added that he is reviewing all the evidence to see how it could be presented to a jury, while the prosecution is doing the same.
If Owens doesn’t accept a plea deal, the case will go to trial in July.
Why Clayton Echard Wants to Share His Side of the Story
Echard has shared his story on a podcast called “Love Trapped” produced by Glass Entertainment.
“I signed up for the podcast because I want to stop her from ever doing this again. And I want to make sure that, like, we seal the book on this,” he told Us about wanting to share his story. “There is no questioning. There’s no her getting a slap on the wrist and walking away.”
Echard also previously expressed hope that Owens would change her ways. “It is my sincere wish that Laura turns over a new leaf and gets the help that she needs,” he said, adding that he “would be the first to embrace her for making a positive change.” He asked followers to “refrain from any commentary that could be misinterpreted as harmful” while discussing the legal victory online.
