Jamestown  (CSi)  Betty Jo Krenz of Woodworth was sentenced Monday in Southeast District Court in Jamestown to over four years in prison, after entering an Alford plea, to charges of theft of property a Class C felony, and theft of property, a Class B misdemeanor.  A charge of unauthorized use of identifying information was dropped.

She was sentenced in connection with a so-called adoption scam.

Krenz, in her late 40’s  entered an Alford plea, meaning she acknowledge there was enough evidence to be convicted of the crime, but didn’t admit to the crime.

Krenz turned herself into authorities in June 2018 following arrest warrants.

Families involved accused Krenz of taking money from a Medford, Oregon family under the pretense of facilitating an adoption for them.

Court documents provided by the State’s Attorney, say she used her background, a Spirit Lake social worker, to provide false adoption paper work.

The investigation showed several times when Krenz promise a baby adoption without following through.  Restitution to the victims of the scam is to be determined over the next 60 days and added to the sentence.