il she's removed from her environment. 

 If she's truly sorry, if she truly has remorse, and if she truly has empathy for what she's done to me and the victims, then I challenge her today to show us,  he said.  She can say she's sorry, but show us you actually are. 

Owens' upcoming time behind bars stems from a paternity lawsuit she filed in 2023, in which she claimed she had  engaged in sexual activity  with Echard and was expecting twins in February 2024.

8  If she's truly sorry, if she truly has remorse, and if she truly has empathy for what she's done to me and the victims, then I challenge her today to show us,  Echard said. (He is pictured above in  Bachelor  Season 26 cast photo.) ABC via Getty Images

8 Owens' upcoming time behind bars stems from a paternity lawsuit she filed in 2023, in which she claimed she had  engaged in sexual activity  with Echard and was expecting twins in February 2024. Facebook/@lauramichelleowens

Stay one step ahead with all the exclusive tea on your favorite reality TV stars! Sign up for Virtual Reali-Tea with Danny and Evan, our must-read newsletter! Thank for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Want more celebrity and pop culture news? Check out more newsletters

At the time, Owens demanded that Echard undergo a paternity test, also requesting a parenting plan in the event he was confirmed to be the father.

Echard, for his part, disputed Owens' claims, arguing that the lawsuit was  groundless and lacking in merit  because the two had  never had sexual intercourse. 

He later shared a screenshot of a receipt on his Instagram Story that appeared to show a $725 payment for a paternity test, writing,  The truth will set you free. 

He also claimed he had learned of other individuals who had faced  nearly identical accusations  from Owens.

8 At the time, Owens (seen above on the right) demanded that Echard undergo a paternity test, also requesting a parenting plan in the event he was confirmed to be the father. Facebook/@ronnowens

8 Echard (pictured above with Stephani Young during the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards) disputed Owens' claims, before she pleaded guilty to four felony charges in August. Rick Kern/Getty Images for iHeartPodcasts

Owens, who was anonymous at the time, alleged to Page Six that Echard was referring to  restraining orders from 2021 and 2022 against the same man,  and accused him of trying to  mislead people. 

In August, Owens pleaded guilty to four felony charges stemming from her false pregnancy claims involving Echard and another man.

The charges included two counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices, one count of perjury and one count of taking the identity of another person.

Under the terms of Owens' plea deal, 10 additional charges against her, including forgery and tampering with evidence, were dismissed, while the lack of a sentencing agreement left the judge to determine her fate.