Oklahoma Couple Faces Felony Charges in Disturbing Surrogate Case
An Oklahoma couple has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies following allegations that they exploited a 14-year-old girl, forcing her to become pregnant as their surrogate. Nathan Potier, 36, and Erica Palmer, 36, both from Oklahoma City, were taken into custody in Nevada earlier this week after a multi-state investigation.
Charges and Allegations
According to authorities from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Potier is charged with sexual assault of a child, while Palmer faces accusations of enabling sexual abuse. The couple is alleged to have abused the teenager, who was in their care, compelling her to act as a surrogate and become pregnant with twins.
Court documents obtained by local media outlet KFOR reveal that the investigation began in December when Child Protective Services alerted authorities after the teen became pregnant. Potier is reportedly the biological father of the unborn children.
Investigation Details
During the inquiry, detectives secured a search warrant to collect Potier’s DNA at one of the teen’s medical appointments to confirm paternity. However, before this could occur, both Potier and Palmer fled the state, prompting a coordinated law enforcement effort to locate them.
On March 17, 2026, members of the United States Marshals Nevada Violent Offender Task Force arrested the couple in Sparks, Nevada. The arrest was part of a joint operation involving the Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit, the Nevada Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Motivation and Aftermath
Authorities stated that Palmer admitted to police she wanted children with Potier but was unable to conceive due to having her tubes tied. This admission reportedly fueled the alleged plan to use the teenager as a surrogate.
Potier and Palmer have been transported to the Washoe County Detention Facility and will be extradited to Oklahoma County to face charges. In a statement, officials emphasized that law enforcement remains focused on locating individuals attempting to avoid detection and ensuring they are held accountable.
The teenage victim is now in foster care, according to reports from Fox12, as the legal proceedings against the couple move forward.
