OCALA, Fla. -- A 24-year-old woman was arrested by deputies in Marion County on Tuesday after she pretended to be pregnant so she could get financial assistance from a local adoption agency, according to the sheriff's office.

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Detectives said 24-year-old Shawanda Butler of Ocala went to Little Angels Adoption Agency in Sebring, Fla. in November 2007 claiming she was three months pregnant and wanted to give up the baby for adoption. The agency then began providing assistance to Butler for such things as medical bills, rent, clothing and groceries.

According to investigators, the adoption agency sent an agent to Butler's home in February to confirm the pregnancy, but Butler refused to get up from her couch or show her stomach. The agency representative said Butler then went into a bedroom where the agent saw her put a pillow under her shirt.

The adoption agency then contacted authorities who arrested Butler on Tuesday on claims she defrauded the agency of $5,000. She is being held at the Marion County jail.