Fla. mom swindles church with sick kid story

[December 12, 2008]  OCALA, Fla. (AP) -- A mother plans to apologize after she was charged with telling church members her child had cancer and needed money for a kidney transplant and then pocketing the cash.

Marion County Sheriff's deputies said the woman visited multiple churches in central Florida and told them her daughter was sick and asked for prayer. She received more than $1,000. She was charged with one count of scheming to defraud and faces additional charges.

From jail this week, the woman said she wants to make a public apology and needs counseling.

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Information from: Ocala Star-Banner, http://www.starbanner.com/

[Associated Press]

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