(7/2/98)
ORLANDO, Fla. -- People across the world watched on the Internet as she gave birth more than two weeks ago.
But it was that moment of virtual fame that landed Elizabeth Ann Oliver in trouble. Authorities said they believed she was wanted for writing bad checks.
Mrs. Oliver, 40, walked into the Orange County Jail on Tuesday and turned herself in. She was freed Tuesday night on more than $9,000 in bad checks after a brief stay in jail.
Though authorities recognized her after the June 16 broadcast, by the time they acted the couple had left the hospital and were nowhere to be found.
Mrs. Oliver, who was known only as Elizabeth to Internet birth watchers, was wanted on nine misdemeanor warrants in Orange County, said Orange County Sheriff's spokesman Cmdr. Steve Jones.
Her husband, Gilberto Oliver, was wanted by authorities in Seminole County on a probation violation charge also stemming from bad checks, authorities said. Officials didn't know where he was Tuesday night. Mrs. Oliver also faced charges in Seminole County.
In all, the couple was being sought on charges of writing at least 25 bad checks for more than $1,300 in 1989 and 1990 at central Florida supermarkets, according to state and court documents.
After her release, Mrs. Oliver spoke only a few words to reporters.
``This has been a real stressful time for our friends and family,'' she said. ``On a positive note, though, I'm living proof that the intelligence of the average Internet user is going down.''