Ohio mom Mindy Taylor accused of feigning terminal cancer
An Ohio mom, accused of feigning terminal cancer while family and friends raised more than $20,000 for treatment, has been arrested by police.
Mindy Taylor, 35, a married mother from Ohio has a donations website at youcaring.com and her community believed her to be so sick they even rallied around to organize a fun-run to help her battle her non-existent cancer, according to the the Columbus Dispatch.
Now Taylor has been charged with felony theft after police, acting on a tip-off, allegedly found no evidence of cancer in her medical records.
Her website, which features a smiling picture of Taylor, states: “Mindy Taylor is one tough cookie. It’s a good thing she is, because she is battling the triple challenges of heart disease, lupus, and cancer of the small intestine with the accompanying mountain of medical and prescription bills.
“Mindy does everything right. She eats carefully, exercises when she can, and follows doctors’ orders to a T. But even tough cookies need a little help. It’s up to her and her medical team to fight this battle, but her friends, family and other caring individuals can pitch in by donating.”
Supporters call themselves ‘Mindy’s Army’ and fund-raising wrist bands bearing the slogan have even been produced which were proudly worn by family and friends on the fun run.
According to Taylor’s local newspaper the Chillicothe Gazette there is evidence she did suffer a stroke and a heart condition when she was younger. However, according to the medical records cited, there appears to be no evidence of cancer.
Police mugshot of Ohio mom Mindy Taylor accused of feigning terminal cancer (Police handout)
Her attorney, Jeff Benson, argued that Taylor is sick but he was unclear as to her condition. He said: “There’s been a significant change in her physical appearance. There’s something going on.”
And even Ross County Prosecutor Matt Schmidt told the Dispatch that Taylor’s actions were not necessarily money-oriented.
He said: “I think she’s a hypochondriac and that she enjoyed the attention. Even now. “Negative attention is still attention, right?”
It was reported Taylor has applied for ‘a diversion’ which would see charges against her dropped if she repays the money donated to her and admits to wrongdoing,
Her arraignment for fourth-degree felony is scheduled for June 16.
