Florida dad and mom lied about teenage son having most cancers to be able to elevate 1000’s of {dollars} in donations, police say | EUROtoday

Two Florida dad and mom lied about their teenage son having most cancers to be able to elevate 1000’s of {dollars} in donations, police have stated.

Edward Downing and Stephanie Skeris have been arrested February 27 and charged with two counts of fraud and youngster neglect, in response to Dixie County Sheriff’s Office.

The scheme allegedly started in December 2024, after the pair took their son, now 15, to hospital. Despite medical doctors discovering no proof of most cancers, Downing and Skeris allegedly started telling members of the neighborhood that their son had most cancers in “multiple areas of his body.”

One fundraising occasion, hosted by the couple in March 2025, noticed a donation drive at native pizza restaurant that donated $3 of each buy in direction of the boy’s supposed therapy, in response to information outlet WCJB.

“Thanks to the owners of ocean pond and to the people that donated,” Downing wrote on Facebook in April 2025, sharing a poster for a separate fundraiser.

“He is more that a son he’s my little buddy a hero to some a parter in crime he’s everything to me god bless everyone that supports him and i wont be beside your i will behind you if you fall i will be there to catch you.”

The pair additionally arrange a GoFundMe web page to solicit additional donations on-line for obvious most cancers therapy and surgical procedure, in response to police.

An investigation, performed by the sheriff’s prison investigations division, revealed the years-long scheme and recognized a checking account established and promoted as getting used just for {the teenager}’s medical bills. Financial data confirmed that donations have been utilized by Downing and Skeris for private purchases, together with garments, gas, meals out, and money withdrawals.

The teenager was positioned into protecting care after each investigators and medical professionals recognized considerations referring to his well-being and medical therapy.

Downing and Skeris have been charged with scheme to defraud, communications fraud and neglect of kid, third-degree felonies in Florida which carry a most sentence of as much as 5 years in jail and a $5,000 superb.

The pair have been launched on bond following their arrest and a court docket date is but to be set.

“The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the generosity and compassion of the community members and businesses who contributed in good faith, believing they were helping a child in need,” the sheriff’s division wrote on-line.