72 new charges against Michelle Bodzsar in alleged fake cancer scam involving son, all charges against Ben Stephen Miller dropped

A mother who allegedly faked her son’s cancer to raise money has been hit with dozens of new charges – as the boy’s father is cleared of wrongdoing.

The case against a mother who allegedly deceived her community by faking her son’s cancer diagnosis has increased from two charges to 72 – while her husband has walked free, with all accusations dropped.

On Wednesday, Michelle Bodzsar wept over video link as the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard prosecutors had finalised their case against her.

The 44-year-old, of West Lakes, was originally facing one aggravated count of committing an act likely to cause harm and one count of deception.

Prosecutors will now pursue 72 counts, including the more serious offence of criminal neglect.

They have itemised those alleged offences in new court documents that outline donations she allegedly received, of between $10 and $3000 each, in the span of weeks.

The total raised, the court documents allege, is $21,962.

Michelle Bodzsar is now facing 72 charges relating to the alleged cancer scam involving her young son. Picture: Facebook

Father Ben Miller leaves court after all charges over an alleged cancer scam relating to his young son were dropped. Picture: Leah Smith

Ms Bodzsar, of West Lakes, is now facing one count of criminal neglect, 57 counts of deceiving another to benefit self and 14 counts of dishonestly dealing with property.

At the same time, prosecutors said none of the charges against Ms Bodzsar’s husband, Ben Stephen Miller, 44, would be pursued.

However, court orders banning him from contacting the couple’s son will remain in place for now.

Previously, prosecutors alleged Ms Bodzsar and Mr Miller, both 44 of West Lakes, “engaged to represent” their child “had cancer”, raising $60,000 in less than a month.

They further alleged the couple shaved the boy’s head and eyebrows, and placed him into a wheelchair with bandages on his head, to imitate radiotherapy treatment.

In March, the court heard the boy was undergoing further psychological and toxicological testing.

In their court documents, prosecutors allege Ms Bodzsar took donations on 71 occasions between November 21 and December 12, 2024.

The documents name each of the donors, including individuals and companies such as McEvoy Transport.

They allegedly contributed amounts ranging from $10 to $50, with others donating as much as $500, $750 and $1000.

One donor, they allege, gave $3000.

In each instance, prosecutors allege, Ms Bodzsar “deceived” the donor to “dishonestly benefit” herself.

In the criminal neglect charge, they allege she “had a duty of care to” her son, who “suffered harm as a result of” her actions.

“Ms Bodzsar was, or ought to have been, aware that there was an appreciable risk that harm would be caused to (her son) by the act,” they allege.

“She failed to take steps that she could reasonably be expected to have taken in the circumstances to protect (him) from harm.

“Her failure to do so was, in the circumstances, so serious that a criminal penalty is warranted.”

On Wednesday, prosecutors asked the case be adjourned for 14 weeks, and Magistrate Brian Nitschke agreed.

He remanded Ms Bodzsar in custody to face court in August, and released Mr Miller from his pre-existing bail conditions.

Outside court, Mr Miller’s lawyer said her client was “extremely pleased with the outcome”.

Originally published as 72 new charges against Michelle Bodzsar in alleged fake cancer scam involving son, all charges against Ben Stephen Miller dropped