SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. – A 25-year-old woman accused of telling people she and her son had cancer to collect money has been charged with an additional felony.
Melissa D. Barton was charged earlier this month with theft by deception. On Wednesday she was charged with another count.
Police say Barton asked for and received money from organizations, individuals, and donation websites. She's accused of telling people she had cancer and that her son was diagnosed with leukemia in order to collect money through YouCaring.com and WePay.com.
Barton is held at Sangamon County Jail on a $100,000 bond. She is expected to be extradited to Madison County.
