MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman police say solicited money for her son’s medical condition and used most of it for other purposes.
On Thursday, sheriff’s detectives arrested Tonya Hawkins, of Mon County, for a fraudulent scheme, greater than $1,000, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
From fall 2013 to fall 2017, Hawkins solicited money for her son, who she said had a medical condition and would require a major surgery, the release said. Detectives were told the child may not have had the medical conditions Hawkins advertised.
After inspecting bank, communication and medical records, police said Hawkins opened a checking account to benefit a transplant fund, and more than $30,000 was deposited into it.
According to the press release, in a statement to police detectives, Hawkins said between 55 percent and 60 percent of the solicited funds were spent on items other than the juvenile’s medical needs, including making car payments for others, loan money and a purchase at Cabela’s.
Hawkins was arraigned and given a $5,000 PR bond.