UNBELIEVABLE, SAD, UNIMAGINABLE!

<p>Some of you may remember that some weeks back, I posted to this board, about the plight of a young mother of FIVE children who had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her name is Cheri, and her children are a daughter-22, twin sons-17, younger son-5 and daughter who just turned one. I had learned of this person&#39;s misfortune through the Post op Pregnancy board here on <br />Obesity Help. Cheri had been diagnosed with stage 3-B or some more serious level of breast cancer. Her husband is Military and stationed in Germany with her here in Iowa -- alone with the children. She was critically ill and in need of help. The wome on the Post Op Pregnancy board had developed a level of friendship and trust with Cheri over the years and took her in as their own sister and TOOK CARE of the financial needs of her family. They purchased a new car seat for her youngest daughter, they paid for gasoline for the children to travel to see their mother--the oldest daughter in college driving two hours each way each day to help with her mother. They proivided gift cards for food and daily necessities for this mother. One OH member even contactad a chur*****heri&#39;s area asking them to provide dinners to the family and sent money to the church to cover the cost of the meals that were to be delivered. One OH member drove over two hours to visit with Cheri and to deliver her an electric blanket only to arrive and find no one home. Cheri had fallen ill again and was rushed into intensive care at the University of Iowa hospital. The members of the OH Post Op Pregnancy and the Rants and Raves forum have taken up and unbelivable amount of money to support this family. ONE INDIVIDUAL has contributed $2500 alone!!! <br />There is a pay pal account that was managed by TWO people and neither could make a decision regarding money without consulting the other. ONE INDIVIDUAL contributed $2500 to Cheri. $300 through Pay-Pal and $2200 as a direct gift to Cheri. Some of the women became concerned about how Cheri would provide for Christmas for her children in what could very well be the last year that Cheri would see Christmas with them, if she would even survive until Christmas. Somehow the 17 year old twins were asked to provide a Christmas wish list and the members went to work trying to provide as much of their wishes as possible. Most of the items were legitimate and even those that were not, were not that far off for a 17 year old to be asking for. Some members of Obesity Help became concerned and started delving deeper into this situation. </p><p><font color="#cc3300">HANG ON TO YOUR HATS LADIES and GENTLEMEN!</font> </p><p>It appears that his has been a total and complete SCAM! Several people had tried to contact Cheri when she had been in the hospital at the University of Iowa and her "Sister," "Daughter,"and "Husband" had each time told everyone that Cheri was a DND (Do not Disturb) patient and they were not allowed to give her room number of a phone extension out. They could however give a cell phone that they could be called on. Cheri&#39;s husband is Military and allegedly the Military needed him in his position and could not allow him extended leave to come home from Germany to be there for her and his child. (The one year old is allegedly the only one of his) Several members of OH had offered to go to IOWA and stay with Cheri and her family to be of help to her during her time of need. There was always an excuse to not accept the help. The story fourishes! Some people wanted to hang Cheri out to dry, others wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt and wait for her responses. When people began to post with questions, the only relpy for Cheri was that she would straighten things out and then she posted a big "F*** YOU ALL, I OWE YOU NO EXPLANATIONS post.! Excuse me, there are people who have invested themselves totally emotionally and financially to help this person. She does owe an explanation. People still begged her to come forward and clear the air. They begged her for proof that she was real and that her situation is real and that they had not been taken in by a scam She would not do so. Several people talked with her over the past two day. One OH member even went to her house to surprise her. When that member showed up at the home, there were cars in the driveway, curtains open, but no one would come to the door. The looked in the windows and found a nicely furnished house -- unlike the sleeping on the floor and using lawn chairs that Cheri had been describing to all....They saw a male look out the window. They called and got her on the cell phone. She said she was at her sisters house and no one was at home at her house. She finally said her son was at the house but he would not come to the door. The police were called to check the welfare of a "Very Sick" woman that could not be gotten to the door. They could not get a response either. Cheri said the people could see her at her sisters...then changed it and said she had to talk to her husband first. She them told them that her husband forbade her to meet with them. What the heck? He is in GERMANY???????? She told this person she would meet with them on Tuesday. The person who went to her home... (It is a duplex) talked with the next door neighbors who told them a young couple lived in that unit. THEY had recently moved there from Germany. They have two small children but no teenagers living there. NO, the woman did not appear to be sick, no she had not lost all her hair......you get the picture. </p><p>People on the Post Op Pregnancy board and the Rants and Raves boards are FURIOUS. And with good reason to be. THEY HAVE BEEN SCAMMED! These people started researching information yesterday and found a lengthy criminal history for this woman. She was a licensed PA and had also lost that license. I don&#39;t recall all the charges they found--but they were out there and lots of them. The people who have reached out to this "WOMAN IN NEED" are hurt, they are angry and I think some are even embarassed that they were taken in by a scam. They found other blogs with her same picture and similiar stories written last year and at other times. Initially Cheri denied the other blogs were her and then misteriously the other blogs became password protected or disappeared. INCREDIBLE! </p><p>Some of the donors are seriously looking into taking LEGAL action in this case and I belive it is appropriate. Here in lies a warning....I know a lot of people on the Alabama board are good people and this may some day affect someone here if we are not careful. There is some question of where the legal liability lies. CHERI never directly came on OH and asked for donations. She initially refused them, then some of her "friends" opened the Pay-Pal account and funneled the funds to her through gift cards and actual purchases delivered to her home. It is possible now that if those people who made contributions through the pay pal account choose to press charges, it may fall back to the owner of the pay pal account. THAT person, rather than Cheri may be liable for all the money that was collected and could face legal action in this case. HOW SAD that some very caring women are now facing legal battles because of their desire to help another person who was supposedly in need. </p><p> I think you get the picture here... I did not intend t write a book, but this story is so UNBELIEVABLE that it is hard to condense. Take this as a warning to be careful who and how you choose to be Charitable. Don&#39;t let this prevent you from reaching out to others, but let it help you in making good decisions. I think that ALL the people involved in this situation could use some prayers on their behalf. There are a lot of confused and hurting people in this situation. People will never know if Cheri&#39;s medical situation is real or not--doubted since she was making the same type post on another blog just a year ago---(yet on OH, she was only diagnosed a few months ago), but even if her cancer is not real, this woman has mental health needs that go beyond the reach of our imaginations. Anyone who could possibly pull off such a scam and them to tell those that supported her to "F*** OFF." It really worries me **IF** she does in fact have children and if they are safe in this home. I do believe there will be legal intervention and surely at that time the safety of her children, if there are any, will be investigated as well. </p><p>So--two things, be charitable, but be smart in doing so. NEVER donate blindly. And Second, please pray for healing in this situation. <br /></p><p>If you are curious or want to know more about this, there are hundreds of post on multiple threads on the Post Op Pregnancy board and the Rants and Raves Forum. The have been posted in the past 2-3 days. </p><p> Carolyn~</p>

I have been following this story for a few days now. Its horrible that people out there would do such a thing, but its a fact they are really some bad people out there! Its really an eye opener!

Christy,

I mentioned this to a few people at the Dinner at PF Changs last night and debated if I should post it to the
Alabama board or not. I chose to post it because I had
brought this family to the attention of the Alabama board some weeks ago and I wanted to make sure that no one
(else) fell for this scam. I am hoping that none of the Alabama board have been a victim in this.

It is truly sad that someone would sink to these depts and take advantage of others.

I told someone last night that If I had to ask for help, I would just have to outright say I did not have the money I needed to pay my bills and ask...but I would be scared to death to conjure up such a scam at this. I truly believe that what goes around, comes around. SOMEDAY this woman will face the music for all those she has taken advantage of. I would hate to be on the receiving end if I were her.

Likewise, those that stepped out in faith to help this family can rest peacefully, knowing that they did what they thought was right.

 Me and My mother owned a flower shop and behind the the shop there was government housing.There was a lady that lived in one of the houses that had a baby and claimed it had leukemia.A bank account was set up for the baby thin come to find out the baby was not really sick.A lot of people had put money into this account.I had the question why didn't the bank check it out before they started accepting money? My question is why didn't they check to make sure this woman was telling the truth? I have learned not to be so trusting because people will take advantage of you.

Oh Carolyn....this is horrible.  People amaze me.  One thing about it...that person will not prosper from scamming those people.  She is hurt them purposely and that is wrong.  I am praying that God will send someone to her to help her.  She needs help.  I am also praying that those who gave from their hearts to help her will be blessed in a huge way.  I agree with you...pray about the situation and research it and God will lead you in what you need to do.  It is just hard to believe that people can be so cold.  God help us all.

Oh Carolyn that is soo sad!  I once was good friend with this young lady that found out she was having a baby.  She was so happy because her daughter, age 11, had lukemia and she also had a set of twins before where one died at birth and the other went to live with her mom right away (why I dont know).  Anyways I knew this girl for 4 years and I'd seen pictures of her other kids so I thought nothing of it.  Well I went to our Church and asked to have a baby shower for her.  We did just that, I went all out soending well over $400 for her gifts, food and all.   After another month passed she "went into labor" and for some reason couldnt get in touch with me and her adn the BF went to UAB and "had the baby".  She called em the next day crying, said that her mother took this child as well, telling the hospital she was unfit and DHR gave teh child to her mom.  Ok well Easter rolls around and the church made baskets for all the kids and even made one for her daughter who has lukemia that lives at Children's Hospital.  Without talking to this lady the Secretary went to the Hospital to deliver the basket and there was nolittle girl with this name NOR discription.

Every thing that had come out of that ladies mouth was a lie except for the fact that she had a little girl.  She does have a little girl in a mentalhospital in Oregon and always tells everyone she has lukemia.  I called her mom and had a long 3 hour conversation with her.  I immedetely stopped talking to this lady.  She was never pregnant, she gained weight to get $$$ from people.  I was so mad.  I cant believe that there are those out there that do this stuff.  It is things like this that hurts other people that are TRUELY in a bad situation!  I ampraying for this family adn for all of those involved! 

I came here to make sure that the story of this lady had been posted.  I had read about her, and was so moved by her story that I checked every day hoping that she was better.  I was so sad when I received a message from one of the ladies that started a fund for her.  I made a donation to her, but not as much as some people. 

Seems that she is a con artist.   She has a rap sheet a mile long, and must have mental problems.   Sure she is already planning her next con. 

I will never see my money, but I will have my reward someday.  That is something she take take. Not sure what she will have.   Hopefully she will be caught.  Seems she does not even have custody of her children.   I have spent hours reading the boards mentioned above, and I am sick.   Refuse to let her take up any more of my time.  

Glad that she had been exposed on this board 

 

Wow... That is pretty $HlTTY if you ask me. But, regardless of anything, today's culture has forced a sense of insecurity when trying to attempt to trust someone using this medium. That is why under my "donations category of rules" I do not donate cash to paypal accounts or directly like this. I would rather trust the fact that I already know that my contributions to United Way are already predisposed to being mismanaged, so I cannot get upset with a negative outcome!

It's a sad day when you read stories like this...


Chris

Hey Carolyn ~

I too had been following this story and hoping that it was all a misunderstanding and it sure has come to light fast that she is not who she says she is.

I pray the Lord to watch over her and get her the help she truly needs..

Carolyn,

First off, thank you for posting this. I have been following Cheri's story for a couple of weeks and had been praying for her. I didn't want to read this kind of post but when someone is caught lying it needs to be made known so that others will not be hurt. I feel sorry for this lady and hope that she asks for forgiveness from anyone and everyone she came into contact with. This especially hurts me knowing what I'm going through. I would never ask for assistance but I do ask for prayer and I would not want anyone to think I am seeking attention. My oncologist is Dr. Barnes at the Montgomery Cancer Center and anyone can call and check out my situation. They may not give you details but surely they will at least let you know that I am a patient with Stage 2, Grade 2 breast cancer. I'm not dying. I have a very good prognosis but I am very sick and weak a lot of the time. I'm just sick from reading this and hope and pray that God will heal wounded spirits from the heartfelt love we gave Cheri. I don't know what else to say except that my heart still goes out to her and I hope she makes things right.

Love to all,
Debbie