PENNSAUKEN, N.J., April 27 (UPI) -- A New Jersey mother faces child abuse and fraud charges after police said she allegedly lied, saying her son has cancer to get money.
Susan Stillwaggon, 35, of Pennsauken, N.J., has been charged with theft by deception, forgery, endangering the welfare of a child and using a child to commit a criminal offense, ABC News said Saturday.
Stillwaggon told people her 9-year-old son had stage-three lymphoma. Several charity events were organized including a bake sale, a bingo game and other events. All told, police said Stillwaggon was given about $3,500 since March, when police believe the scam began.
Pennsauken Detective Sgt. Cheryl Duffy said Stillwaggon was even able to fool the boy's father, a truck driver who is away for long periods of time.
Duffy said the child was never physically hurt, though he believed he was sick with cancer.
Stillwaggon has been admitted to a New Jersey mental institution, her attorney said, where she is getting treatment prior to facing the criminal charges.
