Fire department & rest of community scammed about little girl’s cancer
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Police in Atlantic, Iowa are charging Leatha Kaye Slauson with felony child endangerment and accusing Slauson of giving her five-year-old daughter Riley cannabis oil, all apparently part of an effort to convince the community that the little girl had terminal colorectal cancer.
The Super Riley Fund made news in and around Atlantic since April as part of an effort to raise money for the child’s medical care. Images on a GoFundMe site under Leatha Slauson’s name show Riley with a shaved head and stuffed giraffe.
The story finally fell apart when administrators at Riley’s school wanted details on how to care for the girl during her illness. The contacts given to school officials were phony and the school informed police of the issue on Thursday.
Just like the rest of the community, the Atlantic Fire Department became involved in a big way, making Riley an honorary firefighter and assisted in raising money.
Because of Riley’s desire to become a firefighter when she grows up, the local fire department became involved in the fundraising efforts. In April, Fire Chief Mark McNees made Riley an honorary firefighter. Another local firefighter walked for miles around the neighborhood, door-to-door, collecting donations to make sure Riley gets to cross experiences off her bucket list.
Riley eventually won a trip to Walt Disney World.
During another awareness event in August, Riley appeared on KETV with a tube plugged in to one of her nostrils.
Police in Atlantic, Iowa, are discouraging the community from making further contributions to a fund set up for a girl who allegedly had cancer.
The preliminary results of the investigation indicate that the child does not suffer from any life-threatening illnesses, police said.
“During the past year, the local community, as well as others around Cass County and beyond, have rallied to help the family financially, and to make what was believed to be the child’s remaining time as enjoyable as possible. Individuals and organizations have organized fundraisers and a trip to Disney World in order to assist the family through what was believed to be a difficult time,” the statement from police read.
KETV NewsWatch 7 has aired two stories on the fundraising efforts for the girl and her family.
Statement on Facebook page from Chief Mark McNees, Atlantic Fire Department:
The Atlantic Fire Department is saddened to hear of the events surrounding the family of Super Riley. This is now a family and legal matter. Riley was made an honorary member of our department because of her desire to become a firefighter someday, and our desire to make her dream come true. Under the current circumstances she needs our support more than ever and will remain an honorary member and we wish her nothing but the best in her future.
