The 44 -year-old mother has been hit with heinous charges such as criminal neglect and child endangerment. This case has garnered extremely high levels of public and media attention. The mother now faces a shocking total of 72 charges. These charges encompass one count of criminal neglect, 57 counts of deceiving others for her personal advantage, and 14 counts of dishonestly handling property. In total, she purportedly duped people out of over $20,000. This scheme allegedly occurred within a matter of weeks from November 21 to December 12.
The accusations against the mother arose after she and her partner allegedly fabricated stories about their six-year-old son’s cancer treatment. Vicarious liability—courtroom testimony revealed family alleged extensive medical treatment needs for boy. It worked—donations exceeded $60,000 in less than two weeks. According to stated eyewitness accounts, one individual witnessed the 11-year-old with his head and eyebrows completely shaved. Then he was put into a British wheelchair and bandaged up to simulate the effects of radiotherapy.
Details of the Allegations
The state’s attorney called the mother’s actions “some of the most egregious” I’ve seen, claiming that she “had a duty of care” to ensure her son’s safety. The court document stated that she “was, or ought, to have been aware that there was an appreciable risk that harm would be caused” by her actions. Furthermore, it was noted that she “failed to take steps that she could reasonably be expected to have taken in the circumstances to protect [the boy] from harm.”
The scale of the alleged deception is what’s truly shocking. News reports suggest that this was not an isolated incident, as the mother defrauded people out of $10 – $3,000. The total estimated value of the alleged fraud was over $20,000, leading to questions as to what her motivation for committing fraud was. Legal experts have commented on the severity of the case, suggesting it is “so serious that a criminal penalty is warranted.”
Court Appearance and Future Proceedings
Yet during her first court appearance last week via video link, the mother appeared haggard and disheveled. She cried out with a loud voice, and she placed her head upon her hands. The emotional cost of what was happening appeared all too apparent as she realized the full weight of the charges leveled against her. She is due to plead when the case comes back to court in August.
The father himself tried to spread blame for his role in the alleged ruse to avoid picking up the tab for his son’s medical transition. He has now been exonerated. This development leads to even more questions regarding the family’s relationship with each other and why the decision was made during this chaotic morning.
