Felony Charges Against Michigan Mother Who Faked Son’s Cancer For Money

[Kronzek Cronkright]

This case came to the attention of many child abuse lawyers, as a Michigan mother facing felony charges after faking the cancer of her young son to obtain donation money from sympathizers. This case provides a good example of prosecutors going after fraud and theft offenders.

Carol Schnuphase, 47, and her 12-year-old son experienced a great tragedy in their family after losing their beloved husband and father in recent months. This traumatic situation however, was only the first of several to strike the Schnuphase family. Shortly after the death of her husband, Schnuphase told her son that he was sick with leukemia. She also informed members of her church and community of the situation, and proceeded to ask for donations to support her ill son.

While Schnuphase was successful in gaining attention for her son’s cause, her plight also caught the eye of local law enforcement officials. Following an investigation, detectives discovered that her son was not really sick at all and that Schnuphase had fraudulently created the entire scheme to steal donation money. She allegedly shaved her son’s head and drugged his food to make him look gravely ill. Additionally, Schnuphase posted about the boy’s supposed condition on Facebook, promoting fund-raisers that eventually netted her $7,000.

Schnuphase’s alleged illegitimate claims have landed her in serious legal trouble. In addition to being charged with two felony counts of false pretenses over $1,000, Schnuphase is also charged with a count of second-degree child abuse in Michigan. If convicted of this felony count, she could face four years in prison as well as the loss of her parental rights. Her son is currently placed by Children’s Protective Services in foster care, is reportedly healthy and is showing no symptoms of leukemia or cancer of any kind.

As seen by the example of Carol Schnuphase, providing false information regarding your child’s health and well-being for personal gain is not only socially taboo, but unlawful. Because the consequences of conviction are so severe and life-changing, it is essential to find the best legal advice and legal representation for your case. Contacting an experienced and aggressive child abuse lawyer in Michigan is the first step a parent can take to not only protect their personal reputation and freedoms, but their family and parental rights as well.