Couple charged after falsely claiming their 6yo child had cancer

A couple has been arrested after they allegedly shaved their six-year-old child’s head and put them in a wheelchair as part of a scam to solicit donations.

An Adelaide couple have been charged with criminal neglect and deception offences after allegedly soliciting $60,000 in donations in a fake cancer scam.

Police will allege that the man and woman, both 44, shaved the head and eyebrows of their six-year-old child, applied bandages, and placed them in a wheelchair to imitate the side effects of chemotherapy.

The couple allegedly solicited around $60,000 in donations for their “sick” child over a two-week period.

South Australia Police acting assistant commissioner John DeCandia said the couple are in custody and will face court today.

The couple were arrested on Friday.

“Our investigation has confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment,” he said.

“We believe this farce illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the child and their sibling.”

Police have been working with the child’s school and protection services to investigate the alleged scam since it was first reported in November.

Both the six-year-old and their sibling are currently in the care of a relative, and protection services are providing daily assessments.

Police are seeking anyone with information relating to this investigation or who have donated money to the family to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 33 000 or to attend a police station.

Originally published as Couple charged after falsely claiming their 6yo child had cancer