By TalesFromFlorida.com
Florida Man strikes again—this time with a rom-com plot so wild even Netflix would say, “Nah, that’s too much.” Meet Henry Betsey Jr., the Sunshine State’s very own (alleged) polygamist who managed to marry three women in three different counties. And no, this isn’t a reboot of Sister Wives—it’s just another day in Florida.
The Dating App Disaster
Henry’s grand scheme started like any modern love story: on dating apps. He swiped right on Tinder, Match.com, and Stir (an app for single parents, because apparently, he had a type).
- Wife #1 (Tonya): Married in Gadsden County (2020).
- Wife #2 (Brandi): Married in Manatee County (2022).
- Wife #3 (Michele): Married in Hernando County (2022).
That’s right—while most people struggle to keep one marriage intact, Henry was out here collecting wives like they were limited-edition Funko Pops.
The System That Failed (Or Just Didn’t Care?)
Here’s the kicker: Florida counties don’t talk to each other about marriage licenses. So when Henry strolled into each courthouse with a new fiancée, the clerks just handed over the paperwork like it was a drive-thru order.
- No background checks.
- No cross-referencing.
- Just vibes.
One of his wives, Michele, summed it up perfectly: “If the counties did talk, it would have saved me a lot of heartache, a lot of money, a lot of stress.” (And probably a lifetime of trust issues.)
The Great Google Detective Work
The jig was up when Tonya—Wife #1—decided to do some light internet stalking. A quick search revealed Henry’s other marriages, and suddenly, everything made sense.
- Tonya: “I just started county by county, putting in his name.” (AKA the modern-day equivalent of hiring a PI.)
- Michele: “She found me and messaged me, and I had no idea she was still married to him.” (Cue the Maury voice: “You ARE the other woman!”)
The Arrest & The Aftermath
Henry was eventually arrested for felony bigamy, but not before:
– Opening joint bank accounts with his wives (classic).
– Getting domestic violence restraining orders filed against him (yikes).
– Still managing to pop up on Bumble while married to all three (commitment level: negative).
Now, he’s pleading not guilty—because apparently, three marriage certificates are just suggestions.
The Real Victims? Florida’s Dating Pool
The moral of the story? If you’re getting married in Florida, maybe do a quick Google search first. Because while love may be blind, the internet definitely isn’t.
And to Henry Betsey Jr.—buddy, maybe stick to Monopoly marriages next time. At least then, the jail time is fictional.