A teenager in Georgia has been arrested after allegedly scamming her ex-boyfriend out of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming that she was pregnant with his child. The Coweta County Sheriff's Office said that an investigation into the matter was launched in early December 2025 after the alleged victim contacted the Criminal Investigations Unit to report a suspected scam, according to a statement obtained by Us Weekly. Investigators then learned that the victim sent $7,000 to Brya Hardy after she asked for financial support while she allegedly claimed she was pregnant with their child. The victim and Hardy, 18, were in a relationship for several years before she faked the pregnancy, according to authorities. Additionally, investigators said that Hardy sent the victim photographs of a child that she claimed he was the biological father of. 16 and Pregnant's Whitney Purvis Avoids Arrest in Child Support Case The sheriff's office said that deputies ultimately concluded that the child didn't belong to either Hardy or the victim. Based on that determination, authorities obtained arrest warrants for Hardy. She has since been charged with theft by deception and was taken into custody on December 31, 2025. It is not currently clear if Hardy has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest. The investigation remains active. Authorities are asking that anyone with information related to the case contact the Coweta County Sheriff's Office at (770) 252-1502. In Georgia, most theft crimes carry both confinement and fine punishments. A charge of theft by deception in Georgia means that the state believes the defendant took something from another through deceitful means, according to the Lawson & Berry law firm website. Some examples of theft by deception include "billing someone for a job that you did not complete, making false statements to convince someone to let you take their property or selling property knowing that there was a lien or some other loan still on it." Additionally, someone can get hit with the charge if they are given "property by any deceitful means or artful practice with the intention of depriving the owner of the property." Tyrese Gibson Addresses Being Detained and Child Support Payment Allegations If Hardy is found guilty of theft by deception, her sentencing will depend on the value of the money she stole. Those who steal items with a value of $1,500 or more will likely face a felony charge. However, the judge will have the discretion to deem the crime a misdemeanor. A felony theft by deception charge is punishable with a prison sentence of no less than one year and no more than 10 years, according to the Lawson & Berry law firm website. Additionally, those found guilty of felony theft by deception will also likely have to pay a fine and recover monetary damage for the items they stole. In Hardy's case, she would likely have to pay back the money she stole from her ex-boyfriend. Those who are found guilty of a felony charge may deal with many setbacks once their punishment is complete and they finish serving time in prison, including the possibility of having a difficult time getting a job.