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Western Iowa mom pleads guilty to cancer hoax

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) — A 30-year-old western Iowa mother has pleaded guilty to allegations that she devised an elaborate hoax about a diagnosis of cancer for her 5-year-old daughter.

On Monday Leatha Slauson pleaded guilty in Cass County District Court in Atlantic to two counts of child endangerment, one of administering harmful substances, one of theft and one of unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Prosecutors dropped other charges in exchange for her pleas. Her sentencing is set for Dec. 22.

Prosecutors say Slauson said on a Facebook page that her daughter Riley was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013. Donations soon began pouring in. An investigation later determined that Riley was not sick.

Riley and her four siblings are staying with their father in Atlantic. Police say he's not connected to the hoax.

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