Germany: Mother forged child's cancer diagnosis and obtained €358,000
A 42-year-old woman is being tried at the Regional Court of Giessen on 13 counts after forging a cancer diagnosis for her son and obtaining more than €358,000.
Trial in Giessen: 42-year-old woman admitted to forging child's cancer diagnosis to obtain donations
According to Newsit.gr, a 42-year-old woman faces 13 counts at the Regional Court of Giessen in Germany, including fraud and forgery. The total amount obtained through donations under false pretences is estimated at no less than €358,000.
The child, the defendant's son, was admitted in January 2021 to the university hospital in Marburg for a skin abnormality. Doctors determined that his condition was harmless and was not cancer.
The mother, however, subsequently transferred the child to a hospital in Switzerland and there forged a medical report using the clinic's letterhead, in which she described a "serious case of skin cancer".
With the forged document in hand, the defendant participated for years in charity events and obtained large sums of money. She is said to have convinced both her husband and the school of the child's illness. Even the son himself believed he was suffering from cancer and that his life was in danger.
At the start of the trial, the defendant's lawyer read a written confession to all the charges against her.
Since the start of the investigation, the child has been placed under the care of social services, whilst the case of his guardianship is ongoing. Initial charges against the father have been withdrawn due to lack of evidence.
Source: Newsit.gr