False Cancer Claim Earns Probation

A New Jersey woman has been sentenced to three years of probation for falsely claiming her 9-year-old son had cancer in an effort to raise money.

Susan Stillwaggon, 35, pleaded guilty Friday to theft by deception, agreeing to serve 75 hours of community service and to reimburse one victim $327 as part of her sentence.

She may be ordered to pay back other donors, too.

She told the judge that she is receiving mental health treatment.

She admitted to fabricating that her son had Hodgkins Lymphoma and holding fundraisers for him.

Authorities say she maintained her story for several months until March, when official at the boy's school became suspicious and asked her for documentation of his illness.

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