Florida Parents Lied About Teenage Son Having Cancer In Order To Raise Thousands Of Dollars In Donations, Police Say

Two Florida parents lied astir their teenage boy having crab in bid to raise thousands of dollars successful donations, constabulary person said.

Edward Downing and Stephanie Skeris were arrested February 27 and charged pinch two counts of fraud and kid neglect, according to Dixie County Sheriff’s Office.

The strategy allegedly began successful December 2024, aft nan brace took their son, now 15, to hospital. Despite doctors uncovering nary grounds of cancer, Downing and Skeris allegedly began telling members of nan organization that their boy had cancer successful “multiple areas of his body.”

One fundraising event, hosted by nan mates successful March 2025, saw a aid thrust astatine section pizza edifice that donated $3 of each acquisition towards nan boy’s expected treatment, according to news outlet WCJB.

“Thanks to nan owners of water pond and to nan group that donated,” Downing wrote connected Facebook successful April 2025, sharing a poster for a abstracted fundraiser.

“He is much that a boy he’s my small buddy a leader to immoderate a parter successful crime he’s everything to maine deity bless everyone that supports him and one wont beryllium beside your one will down you if you autumn one will beryllium location to drawback you.”

The brace besides group up a GoFundMe page to solicit further donations online for evident crab curen and surgery, according to police.

An investigation, conducted by nan sheriff’s criminal investigations division, revealed nan years-long strategy and identified a slope relationship established and promoted arsenic being utilized only for nan teenager’s aesculapian expenses. Financial records showed that donations were utilized by Downing and Skeris for individual purchases, including clothes, fuel, meals out, and rate withdrawals.

The teen was placed into protective attraction aft some investigators and aesculapian professionals identified concerns relating to his well-being and aesculapian treatment.

Downing and Skeris were charged pinch strategy to defraud, communications fraud and neglect of child, third-degree felonies successful Florida which transportation a maximum condemnation of up to 5 years successful situation and a $5,000 fine.

The brace were released connected enslaved pursuing their apprehension and a tribunal day is yet to beryllium set.

“The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office recognizes nan generosity and compassion of nan organization members and businesses who contributed successful bully faith, believing they were helping a kid successful need,” nan sheriff’s section wrote online.