ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in western Iowa say a woman faces charges after lying to people for months that her 5-year-old daughter has terminal cancer.
Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner says Leatha Slauson appears to have acted alone when she told residents in Atlantic that her daughter, Riley, had a life-threatening illness. She was arrested Thursday night on a charge of child endangerment. A drug distribution charge was added later on suspicion that she gave the child cannabis oil.
Officials say Slauson lied to the community for months about the girl's health. At some point, a bank account and Facebook page were set up in support of the family.
An investigation into Slauson occurred after school officials became suspicious of contact information for Riley's doctors.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.