Ben Miller, charged with wife Michelle Bodzsar over son’s alleged cancer cash fraud, granted bail for Christmas

A father who allegedly faked his young son’s cancer diagnosis and placed him in a wheelchair for money has won bail – with very strict conditions.

A man accused of falsely portraying his young son as a cancer patient – and shaving his head and forcing him to use a wheelchair – has been given bail for Christmas, but must not contact his wife or the boy.

On Friday, the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court released Ben Stephen Miller on strict home detention bail to live with his parents at Waterloo Corner.

As required by his bail conditions, Ben Stephen Miller, is required to live with his father (pictured). Picture: Dean Martin

Magistrate Alison Adair ordered Mr Miller surrender his passport and banned him from approaching any international airport for any reason.

She ordered he wear an electronic tracking device at all times and banned him from speaking to his son or daughter – whose names she suppressed.

Ms Adair further ordered Mr Miller have no contact whatsoever with his wife and co-accused Michelle Bodzsar.

Ben Miller with his wife Michelle Bodzsar and their son – the couple allegedly faked his cancer diagnosis.

Mr Miller, 44, and his wife Ms Bodzsar, 44, both of West Lakes, have yet to plead to one count each of committing an act likely to cause harm, and one count each of deception.

Prosecutors allege that, between November 18 and December 12, the couple “engaged to represent” their child “had cancer”, and falsely raised $60,000 for purported treatment.

Ben Stephen Miller is on bail over allegations he and his wife forced their son, 6, to portray a cancer victim to raise $60,000. Picture: Dean Martin

They further alleged the pair shaved their young son’s head and eyebrows and placed him into a wheelchair with bandages on his head to imitate radiotherapy treatment for cancer.

Social media posts seeking donations said they would appreciate people not using “the term cancer around” the boy who “knows he has a sick eye that will get better”.

Ms Bodzsar’s application for bail will be heard next month.

On Friday, Mr Miller, who appeared in court by video link, showed no visible reaction when his bail application was granted.

Ms Adair ordered his case be transferred to the Adelaide Magistrates Court and he appear again in March.