© 2021 Greek Community Tribune All Rights Reserved
Mother faked son’s cancer diagnosis to raise money
April 2026 An Adelaide mother who faked her six-year-old son’s cancer diagnosis to raise money was “living the life of the rich and famous”, despite serious financial struggles, a court has heard. The 45-year-old previously pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in acts likely to cause harm to her young son and 10 counts of deception after her arrest for falsely portraying that her son had cancer. Prosecutor Annie O’Sullivan told the court on Monday that the mother-of-two’s actions “resulted in him experiencing pain and distress”. “She amongst other things caused her son to unnecessarily wear bandages to his head and hands, shaved his hair and eyebrows, administered medications despite his protestations and imposed unnecessary restrictions in his activities,” she told the court. ”From there, she started to deceive her family and friends and wider school community that her son was diagnosed with eye cancer and requested donations. Her lawyer said the 45-year-old’s family was struggling financially at the time. She said the mother had also developed a gambling addiction because of “boredom” during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added to their financial issues. The lawyer added the children’s father “had no knowledge” of the crimes. The woman’s lawyer asked that her client to receive a suspended sentence, however the prosecutor requested an immediate term of imprisonment. The 45-year-old will be sentenced next month.
Greek Tribune
Adelaide, South Australia
© 2021 Greek Community Tribune All Rights Reserved
Mother faked son’s cancer diagnosis to
raise money
April 2026 An Adelaide mother who faked her six-year-old son’s cancer diagnosis to raise money was “living the life of the rich and famous”, despite serious financial struggles, a court has heard. The 45-year-old previously pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in acts likely to cause harm to her young son and 10 counts of deception after her arrest for falsely portraying that her son had cancer. Prosecutor Annie O’Sullivan told the court on Monday that the mother-of-two’s actions “resulted in him experiencing pain and distress”. “She amongst other things caused her son to unnecessarily wear bandages to his head and hands, shaved his hair and eyebrows, administered medications despite his protestations and imposed unnecessary restrictions in his activities,” she told the court. ”From there, she started to deceive her family and friends and wider school community that her son was diagnosed with eye cancer and requested donations. Her lawyer said the 45-year-old’s family was struggling financially at the time. She said the mother had also developed a gambling addiction because of “boredom” during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added to their financial issues. The lawyer added the children’s father “had no knowledge” of the crimes. The woman’s lawyer asked that her client to receive a suspended sentence, however the prosecutor requested an immediate term of imprisonment. The 45-year-old will be sentenced next month.
Greek Tribune
Adelaide, South Australia