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Mother convicted for faking daughter's cancer care for donations
Posted: 06.08.2011 at 4:02 PM
Updated: 06.08.2011 at 5:25 PM
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36-year-old Angela Ann Chapman   / NCSD
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NEWBERRY (WACH) -- A Whitmire woman was convicted Wednesday with breach of trust for falsely taking donations for cancer treatment for her 15-year-old daughter.

“There is overwhelming evidence that you are guilty of this crime,” said Magistrate Ron Halfacre. “The community put their trust in you and you breached that trust.”

The Newberry County Sheriff's Office says 36-year-old Angela Ann Chapman told many people that the child was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments and told the officers investigating the case that they had received treatment at both St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, and at a local hospital.

Deputies say Chapman collected over $1,500.

While health care privacy laws prevent specific details from being released, deputies say that their investigation shows false statements were made about the child’s medical condition, and treatment.

Investigators say the girl posted pictures of herself in pajamas at St. Jude’s Hospital; however, the pictures are all in common areas of the hospital such as the lobby and front of the building and appear to have been done solely for the purpose of gaining sympathy and support in the fraud. Deputies add the child has never been a patient at St. Jude's.

While the Sheriff could not comment on the child’s knowledge or involvement in the situation, he did say that a juvenile had been charged in family court related to the case.

Chapman is sentenced to pay $1,849 in restitution within 30 days.  If it's not paid by then, she'll face a sentence of 30 days in jail and $2000.

The fine will be donated to St. Jude's Hospital.  The remaining balance will be paid to documented victims who can provide records of their payment.

“We felt that those who gave money did so with the final purpose of helping St. Jude’s Hospital with their treatment of children who really do have illnesses and diseases and need assistance so this seemed the appropriate disbursement of the funds because we absolutely were not going to allow the defendant to profit from this incident,” said Sheriff Lee Foster. “Should she chose not to pay the restitution or fine, the community can rest assured that they she will be jailed in accordance with the sentence.” 

Chapman Punishment
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