A couple accused of asking Australians to pay for fake cancer treatments for their son allegedly shaved his head and eyebrows and put him in a wheelchair.
The Adelaide couple, both aged 44, from the city’s western suburbs, were charged with criminal neglect and deception on Friday.
Police claim the pair raised $60,000 for the six-year-old’s ongoing ‘cancer treatments’ in two weeks before they were arrested.
The pair allegedly shaved the boy’s head and eyebrows and forced him to travel in a wheelchair as part of the alleged cancer scam.
Bandages are also said to have been tied to the six-year-old’s head, similar to those given to radiotherapy patients.
A friend of the couple said in a social media post that they were living “every parent’s worst nightmare” after their son was “diagnosed with stage one eye cancer.”
The friend said the little boy had three tumors “on and around” the optic nerve that were right next to his brain.
“(The family) would appreciate it if you would not use the term cancer around (the boy) or your children. (The boy) knows he has a sick eye that will get better,” it said.
Police allege an Adelaide couple raised $60,000 in a sham fundraiser claiming they needed the money for their six-year-old son’s ongoing ‘cancer treatments’ (stock image)
The couple were due to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court (pictured) on Friday
The couple is said to have received donations through a GoFundMe page and through fundraising activities organized by their son’s private school.
Acting Deputy Commissioner John DeCandia said an investigation was launched after police were first notified of the alleged abuse on November 26, when a community member noticed “something wasn’t quite right.”
“Our investigation has confirmed that the child is not seeking medical treatment. We believe that this farcical disease causes significant and severe psychological damage to the child and his or her sibling,” he said.
Both the boy and his sister, who is aged between six and 12, have been removed from their parents’ care and are living with a relative.
Acting Assistant Commissioner DeCandia described the alleged crimes as “heinous.”
“You can mentally imagine thinking you have cancer and even the other sibling thinking their (brother) has cancer… it’s devastating,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of anything more horrible or worse that a parent could do to their child than make them think they have cancer just because of their own personal greed and selfishness, just to make some money.”
Detectives are also investigating whether the donations can be recovered.
The couple were denied bail and are expected to appear early Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted GoFundMe for comment.