- Adelaide couple, both 44, accused of scamming $60,000
- They allegedly shaved their six-year-old son’s hair and eyebrows
- A couple appeared in court on Friday and were denied bail.
- Your child’s school has sent a letter to other parents.
- READ MORE: Adelaide couple revealed in alleged cancer scam
A private school sent a letter to parents after a student’s mother and father allegedly falsified their son’s cancer diagnosis to cheat their supporters out of $60,000.
The Adelaide western suburbs school sent a letter to parents after news of the alleged scam broke on Friday night.
Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar, both 44, from West Lakes, a western suburb of Adelaide, were charged with criminal negligence and deception on Friday and appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Police allege the couple collected $60,000 between Nov. 18 and Dec. 12 after falsely representing that their six-year-old son had “stage one eye cancer.”
The couple allegedly shaved their son’s head and eyebrows, bandaged his head to make it look like he was receiving radiation treatment, and made him travel in a wheelchair.
Ms. Bodzar’s lawyer said she “strongly contested” the allegations, while Mr. Miller’s lawyer said he also denied them.
The vice principal and AP learning and well-being officer at her son’s school wrote a letter to other parents insisting that “the care and well-being of our students is always our top priority.”
“We want to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously and are working closely with SAPOL and those directly affected by the situation,” he said. Adelaide Advertiser reported.
Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar (pictured), both 44, were charged with criminal negligence and deception on Friday and appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court.
The couple allegedly shaved their son’s head and eyebrows, bandaged his head to make it look like he was receiving radiation treatment, and made him travel in a wheelchair.
‘Police are currently looking for anyone who may have information relating to the investigation or who they believe has contributed financially to the family involved.
“If you have any relevant information, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit your nearest police station.”
Contact details for a children’s helpline were also provided in case parents need support for their children following the incident.
The letter also confirmed that “the school has not endorsed or participated in any fundraising activities” in relation to the alleged cancer scam.
Bodzar and Miller, both 44, appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday via video link from their adjacent police cells.
When police prosecutors raised concerns at the hearing that Ms. Bodzar might interfere with the investigation by trying to access her bank or social media accounts, she audibly scoffed, as reported The advertiser.
Miller, a former truck driver who switched to an office job after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, asked to be bailed to home detention with his parents in Adelaide’s north and have no contact with his wife or two children.
Magistrate Alison Adair said she would consider the application based on the outcome of a bail inquiry report due to be completed next week.
Police allege the couple, from Adelaide’s western suburbs, raised $60,000 in two weeks for the six-year-old’s ongoing “cancer treatments” before they were arrested. Pictured is the fundraising page that included a photo of her six-year-old son.
“After reading the indictments, it appears that this defendant is less involved in this crime than the other,” he said.
Both the boy and his sister, who is between six and 12 years old, have been separated from their parents’ care and are living with a relative.
Miller’s case was adjourned until December 20 and Bodzsar will return to court on January 6.