- An Adelaide couple, both 44, accused of swindling them out of $60,000
- He reportedly shaved the six-year-old son’s hair and eyebrows
- The couple appeared in court on Friday and were denied bail
- Their son’s school has sent a letter to other parents
- READ MORE: Adelaide couple in alleged cancer scam exposed
A private school has sent a letter to parents after a student’s mother and father allegedly falsified their son’s cancer diagnosis to cheat benefactors out of $60,000.
The school in Adelaide’s western suburbs sent a letter to parents after news of the alleged scam emerged on Friday evening.
Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar, both 44, from Adelaide’s western suburbs of West Lakes, were charged with criminal neglect and deception and appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.
Police allege the pair raised $60,000 between November 18 and December 12 after falsely representing their six-year-old son had ‘stage one eye cancer’.
The couple allegedly shaved their son’s head and eyebrows, bandaged his head to give the impression he was receiving radiation treatment and made him travel in a wheelchair.
Ms. Bodzar’s lawyer said she “strongly disputed” the allegations, while Mr. Miller’s lawyer said he also denied them.
The assistant principal and AP learning and well-being officer at their son’s school wrote a letter to other parents emphasizing that the “care and well-being of our students is always our top priority.”
“We would like to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously and are working closely with SAPOL and those directly affected by the situation,” the spokesperson said. Adelaide Advertiser reported.
Ben Miller and Michelle Bodzsar (pictured), both 44, were charged with criminal neglect and deception and appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday
The couple allegedly shaved their son’s head and eyebrows, bandaged his head to give the impression he was receiving radiation treatment and made him travel in a wheelchair.
‘The police are currently looking for people who may have information about the investigation or who believe they have made a financial contribution 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 after the incident.
The letter also confirmed that “the school has not supported or participated in any fundraising activities” related to the alleged cancer scam.
Bodzar and Miller, both 44, faced the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday via video link from their adjacent police cells.
When police prosecutors expressed concern during 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 by The advertiser.
Miller, a former truck driver who switched to an office job after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, asked to be granted house arrest bail at his parents’ home in Adelaide’s north and banned from contact with his wife or two children.
Magistrate Alison Adair said she would consider the request based on the outcome of a home detention bail report due to be completed next week.
Police allege the pair, from Adelaide’s western suburbs, raised $60,000 for the six-year-old’s ongoing “cancer treatments” in two weeks before they were arrested. Pictured is the fundraising page with a photo of their six-year-old son
“After reading the charges, it appears that this defendant is less involved in this crime than the other defendant,” she 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.
Miller’s case was adjourned until December 20 and Bodzsar will be back in court on January 6.