MARION, Ind. (WTHR) - Police in Marion arrested a 39-year-old woman who allegedly faked having cancer out of a desire for attention.
Friends and neighbors rallied around Tina Stanley, but now the alleged elaborate scheme police say she carried out has done much more than just betray the trust of people in Marion.
It seems like an unusual thing for police to investigate. Is the suspect really sick?
They were marching in Marion Friday night to help those battling cancer.
Team Tina had its t-shirts and was ready for this annual Walk of Hope. But Tina Stanley, who had put up a public fight against her breast cancer, ended up in jail.
"I tried to be the supportive one to stand by her and then it all finally just came out that she really didn't have the cancer," said Brandy.
Now Stanley, a 39-year-old mother, is charged with eight counts of theft.
"She had posted it on Facebook that she was diagnosed with cancer," friend Brandy Gipson said.
"Of course when I seen her posting that she was going through that struggle my heart went out for her," said Ericka Kroft. "Prayers going up. I know a lot of our community combined together and felt the same way."
The Marion community opened its hearts and its wallets to help Stanley, buying $10 t-shirts and $3 bracelets to show support. Helping every way they could.
"I went over there and made her yard look as good as I could," David Gipson told us.
But others noticed strange posts by Stanley on social media
"She was going online to Google and she was cropping pictures of other people's cancer saying it was hers," Brandy said. "Posting pictures of other people being at chemotherapy."
Then police got involved and this week, Stanley allegedly told investigators she made a mistake, said she made up the cancer story to get attention... to make herself "look good."
"It's a tragedy," Kroft said. " Honestly it's very disturbing I don't know why she would do this."
A tragedy because the fraud not only hurts the friends of Tina Stanley, but it really hurt the organization staging tonight's anti-cancer fundraiser.
"Sadly it had a big impact on this event, sorry to say," said Jennifer Lane-Riefler.
Cancer Services of Grant County says walkers are way down this year. Supporter confidence was shaken by the alleged fraud.
"This puts a damper on it for a lot of these people who are brokenhearted that how dare that person pretend," said Jennifer.
Stanley remains in jail with bail set at $500,000.
