Mom Under Probe for Faking Son's Cancer

By Associated Press

October 31, 2003, 3:19 PM EST

GENEVA, Ill. -- A woman is under investigation for allegedly telling people her 7-year-old son had cancer to collect thousands of dollars in donations, much of which was spent on a trip to Disney World, according to her lawyer.

Parents of the boy's mother, Lisle Undesser, promised to set up a fund and take out a home equity loan to return the money collected, estimated between $8,000 and $12,000.

"Our daughter misled us and you. For this we are truly sorry and embarrassed," said a statement issued by Dan and Cindy Undesser, who share a house in suburban Chicago with their daughter and grandson. They said the boy is healthy and cancer-free.

Meanwhile, the state's Department of Children and Family Services and police in Geneva, where they boy attends school, have launched investigations.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions," said the family services department's spokeswoman Jill Manuel.

Undesser began telling friends in May that her son had cancer that was spreading from his eye into his brain and that he would likely be dead within about six months, said Undesser's attorney, D.J. Tegeler.

Parents at the boy's elementary school began raising money for the family and delivered pizza to their home every week.

Earlier this month, officials at the boy's school became suspicious when Undesser could not provide specifics on her son's condition. They then contacted state officials.

Tegeler said he believes most of the money was spent when Undesser took her son to Disney World for four days over the summer.

"I don't know if any of it's left," he said.

Undesser did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press Friday, and Tegeler said he advised her not to comment.

He said that Undesser was "horribly sorry" for what she'd done and was undergoing counseling. He also said he expected to be contacted by police about whether charges will be filed.

Earlier this year, an Ohio woman who told people her daughter had leukemia to gain thousands of dollars in donations was sentenced to prison along with her husband.

Teresa Milbrandt shaved her daughter's head and gave her sleeping pills to make it appear she was receiving chemotherapy, made her wear a protective mask and put her in counseling to prepare her for death, police said.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

Back to DA*DI's Home