While aberrational, this is instructive on the perils of matching with a surrogate on the internet:

MIAMISBURG, Ohio — A Miamisburg woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a couple who were trying to start a family of their own. Police said the woman took money to be a surrogate mother but lied about her pregnancy. According to the charges, the woman stole thousands of dollars intended for a baby she was never going to have.

Miamisburg police said a local couple thought they were going to have a child through a surrogate. Police said Kimberly Gotthardt took the job; however, when the pregnancy failed, sources told News Center 7 that she kept taking the expectant parents’ money. She is accused of taking between $5,000 and $50,000. Gotthardt is currently out of jail on bond. Court documents said she is on electronic home detention. News Center 7 found out that the would-be parents were not even from Ohio. A police report showed that they couple lives in San Antonio.

Police said the couple met Gotthardt online through a surrogate mother website. Gotthardt is expected back in court later this week.