Surrogacy Escrow Scandal Leaves Families Devastated

A Texas-based escrow company entrusted with managing money meant to pay surrogates is accused of stealing millions from people who were trying to grow their families in the area and around the globe. The allegations against Surrogacy Escrow Account Management LLC (SEAM) are laid out in a civil lawsuit filed in a Houston district court.

Shattered Dreams and Broken Promises

Betrayal of Trust

The company was supposed to manage and disburse funds to surrogates who are carrying someone else's baby — in many cases, people who can't conceive on their own, according to attorneys. However, the owner of SEAM is accused of using the money from the surrogacy escrow account to bankroll her budding rap career and other lavish personal expenses, leaving countless families in limbo.

The Melton Family's Heartbreak

Aaron and Kathryn Melton of Fairfax County are one of the families affected by this scandal. After the birth of their son Jackson, a now healthy 5-year-old boy, the Meltons lost their second and third newborn sons due to a rare complication Kathryn experienced during childbirth. Determined to grow their family, the couple decided to try surrogacy, and they put about ,000 into SEAM LLC, a highly recommended Houston company run by Dominique Side.

The Unraveling of the Scam

The Meltons were alerted that something was wrong after receiving emails from SEAM indicating a brief slowdown in accessing funds. Then, things quickly escalated. They received a letter from Side last month saying she and her company were the subject of an active investigation by federal authorities. The civil lawsuit filed on behalf of another customer who said she lost ,000 accuses Side of running an "elaborate surrogacy escrow scam," alleging that she used more than million taken from an estimated 250 families to finance her business ventures and lavish lifestyle, including a custom music studio where she recorded rap and R&B music.

The Pursuit of Justice

Marianne Robak, the attorney who brought the initial lawsuit, represents more than 20 families so far. She says that in cases like this, the money does not disappear, it just changes form. Her plan is to go after those assets, liquidate them, and make these families whole. The Texas judge has granted an injunction, freezing all remaining assets, but Side has not been criminally charged yet.

The Ongoing Investigation

The FBI confirms that it is also investigating Side and SEAM and needs the public's help. The agency is asking any potential victims or people who may know potential victims to complete a form. Despite the heartbreak, the Meltons say they will continue on their surrogacy journey, determined to not let this setback deter them from their dream of growing their family.