Parents in Australia were arrested after they allegedly shaved off their son's eyebrows, covered him in bandages and placed him in a wheelchair to fake a cancer diagnosis and ask for donations, according to police.
The 6-year-old boy's mother shared he was going through eye cancer treatment on social media about three weeks ago, then set up a crowdfunding page the next day, asking for assistance with paying for treatment, 9News reported.
The couple raised about $60,000 before law enforcement was alerted to the ruse on Nov. 26.
The boy's mother, who was allegedly more involved in the scam than his father, reportedly asked her coworker at a hair salon to help shave his eyebrows and head. They then placed him in a wheelchair, and allegedly stated that he was receiving stereotactic radiotherapy treatment, according to 9News.
The couple was arrested on Friday and charged with two counts each of criminal neglect and deceiving another to benefit self.
The boy and his sibling were taken to stay with a relative while their parents are in jail.
The mother was initially denied bail because prosecution feared she may interfere in the investigation. She will remain behind bars until at least next month, when she can apply for home detention.
Meanwhile, the boy's father, who was reportedly less involved in the alleged scam, applied for home detention and will hear a decision by next week.
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