Mum accused of falsely claiming her son had cancer appears in Port Adelaide Magistrates court

A mum facing charges over her child’s alleged ‘fake’ cancer diagnosis has responded in court - as more details are revealed about the allegations.

• South Australia shocked by fake ‘cancer scam’

A woman accused of falsely portraying her son as a cancer victim in order to dupe $60,000 out of her community has scoffed from the cells during her first court appearance.

Late on Friday, Michelle Bodzsar faced the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court by video link from the police cells next door.

When a police prosecutor accused her and her husband, Ben Stephen Miller, of securing $60,000 by falsely claiming their son has cancer, she replied “60,000?” and shook her head.

Picture: Facebook

Then, when police expressed fears Ms Bodzsar would interfere with investigations by accessing her social media or bank accounts if bailed, she audibly scoffed in response.

Ms Bodzsar’s counsel said his client “strongly contested” the allegations, as did counsel for Mr Miller, who remained silent during his appearance.

His lawyer asked he be considered for home detention bail, saying Mr Miller was a former truck driver who had taken up an office role following a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

He said his client could live with his parents at their northern suburbs address and was prepared to have no contact with his family.

Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Alison Adair said she was prepared to consider Mr Miller’s application.

“Having read the allegations, it appears that this defendant is less involved than the other defendant in this offending,” she said.

She remanded him in custody pending a home detention bail inquiry report next week - but noted police opposed the proposed address.

Ms Adair said she would also order a home detention bail report for Ms Bodzsar, but would not consider the question of her release until after police had more time to conduct investigations.

She remanded her in custody until January.

Picture: Facebook.

The couple, both 44, have been charged with one count each of committing an act likely to cause harm, and one count each of deception.

SA Police documents, filed with the court, allege the offences occurred between November 18 and December 12 this year at locations across the western suburbs.

They allege the couple “engaged to represent” the child “had cancer, knowing that engaging in such acts was likely to cause harm” to him or were “recklessly indifferent as to whether such harm was caused”.

The offence is considered an aggravated charge, due to the age of the boy, and carries a maximum seven-year prison term.

The documents further allege the couple deceived another person to benefit themselves to the value of $3000 or more.

In court on Friday, the police prosecutor said that monetary figure did not represent the total scope of the alleged offending.

“We have reason to believe the amount (involved) is around $60,000,” she said, prompting Ms Bodzsar’s audible reaction.

“The safety of the complainant (child) is paramount... it’s likely he might believe he has cancer, which will have caused him psychological damage,” she continued.

“There is a risk of her both breaching bail by contacting him and by interfering in ongoing investigations by accessing her social media or bank accounts.”

Counsel for Ms Bodzsar said those concerns were unfounded, as their client had no prior criminal history and posed no risk to the community.

“Presumably, police have already taken information about those matters... this is a large prosecution brief with a number of witness statements,” he said.

“She tells me she has limited means and that all of her money has already been taken out - she presumes by police as part of this investigation.

“Anything that has already allegedly gone into and out of those accounts has already happened... you can’t re-write the records.”