The Australian father who allegedly faked his six-year-old son’s cancer diagnosis with his wife to cheat his supporters out of $60,000 has returned to court.
Ben Stephen Miller, 44, of West Lakes in Adelaide, appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday charged with an act likely to cause harm and deceive others for personal gain.
Magistrate Alison Adair granted Miller bail but under strict conditions as his case progresses through the courts.
He is prohibited from seeing his two children and his wife Michelle Bodzsar, 44, who remains in custody, and must report to a police station twice a week.
He was required to hand over his passport, could not visit an airport, had to wear an electronic tracking device at all times and lived with his parents in Waterloo Corner, north of Adelaide.
Miller will return to court on March 18 for a charging hearing.
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.
Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar (pictured), both aged 44, were charged with criminal negligence and deception offences. Miller appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday where he was granted strict bail.
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.
The private school Miller and Bodzsar’s son attended sent a letter to parents after news of the alleged cancer scam broke.
In the letter, the vice principal insisted 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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
At a news conference after the charges were filed, police said, “Our investigation has confirmed that the child is not seeking medical treatment.”
“We believe this hoax illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the boy and his brother.”
Bodzsar will spend Christmas and New Year behind bars and his next bail application is expected to be heard in early January.