‘I Had No Idea’: Man Who Married 3 Women Did It for Money, Says Wife
A Florida man who secretly married three women at the same time has been sentenced for felony bigamy after his web of deception unraveled — leaving heartbreak, financial suspicion, and legal consequences in its wake.
Henry Betsey Jr., 50, pleaded nolo contendere (no contest) to bigamy charges in May 2025. On Thursday, he was sentenced to two years of probation and will now be listed as a convicted felon in Hernando County court records.
None of the women he married knew of the others until long after their respective ceremonies. Each believed they were in a committed relationship — only to later discover they had been caught in a carefully woven scheme.
Quick Weddings, False Promises
Betsey’s deception started with online dating platforms. He met Michele Narens, his most recent wife, on Match.com. The two quickly bonded, and within just three weeks of meeting, they were married on November 23, 2022, in Hernando County.
But Michele’s world turned upside down when she learned about another woman: Brandy Allen, who had married Betsey on February 22, 2022 — nine months earlier — in Manatee County. Brandy said they met through Stir, a dating app designed for single parents.
“He said all the right things,” Brandy told local outlet WFTS Tampa Bay. “We got married right there at the courthouse, no questions asked.” She added that nothing in the marriage license system flagged that Betsey had prior or ongoing marriages.
And there was Tonya Betsey, Henry’s first known wife, whom he married in November 2020 in Duval County after meeting on Tinder. Tonya was the one who pieced the truth together — eventually tracking down and alerting Michele.
“The way he portrayed himself, he sold the perfect person,” Tonya told WFTS. “In reality, he was none of those things.”
‘We Need a Joint Bank Account’
Each woman believes Betsey’s motive was financial, not romantic. Michele and Brandy both stated that Betsey tried to gain control over their bank accounts shortly after marriage.
“The day we got married, he said, ‘We need to make your bank account a joint bank account,’” Brandy recalled. That raised red flags in hindsight, especially when paired with his pattern of rapid proposals and vague background information.
While none of the marriages triggered alerts in the Florida licensing system, it was only when Tonya reached out to Michele directly that the deception came to light.
“I had no idea that she was still married to him,” Michele said. “It just felt surreal.”
Turning Himself In
On October 23, 2024, Betsey voluntarily turned himself in at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office after learning of the warrant issued for his arrest. He was detained and later charged with felony bigamy.
Following his arrest, Betsey filed for divorce from Tonya and began the legal process to annul his other two marriages.
In court, he apologized to the women involved, but his third wife Michele said she didn’t find the apology sincere.
“The fact that he is now a convicted felon, that speaks mountains,” Michele stated. “And I feel like that is vindication on our parts. Do I think that he has any remorse? Absolutely not.”
Legal Consequences and Lasting Impact
Though he avoided jail time, Betsey’s two-year probation sentence and felony record serve as a cautionary example of relationship fraud, especially in the age of online dating.
The case has prompted discussion about possible flaws in marriage license systems and how individuals with ill intent can exploit them undetected.
For Michele, Brandy, and Tonya, the ordeal has left emotional scars — and a shared sense of betrayal.
As Michele reflected, “It’s not just about love. It’s about manipulation, deceit, and financial exploitation. And we deserve better.”
The women now hope their stories help others spot the red flags before it’s too late.
