Woman shaves head in fake cancer scam to swindle $15,000 from donors, Georgia cops say
A community in northwest Georgia came together to support Katie Lynn Shellhorse after her cancer diagnosis last year.
Now Shellhorse, 22, has been arrested after authorities say she lied about being terminally ill to defraud donors out of nearly $15,000.
The Cedartown woman was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of theft by deception, the Polk County Police Department said in a news release. Authorities launched an investigation in April after officers were tipped off about Shellhorse’s cancer claims and suspicious statements she made about her diagnosis.
The month-long investigation revealed she did not have cancer but had pocketed thousands from family, friends, local churches and other donors who she convinced she was sick and dying.
To play up the ruse, Shellhorse allegedly shaved her head on multiple occasions, according to a police report obtained by McClatchy News.
A relative told police that Shellhorse would post on social media to ask for donations, then spent the funds she received on “marijuana, alcohol and firearms” for her husband.
“Our family has been devastated by this event,” Shellhorse’s family said in a statement, according to WSB-TV. “We had no foreknowledge of her plan to misguide and we will not defend it. We’re deeply saddened that our community was deceived. We pray for all that were affected and believe that justice will be served.”
Polk County police said they’re looking into exactly how much money Shellhorse received and are working to locate her victims.
The case remains under investigation.
This story was originally published May 19, 2021 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Woman shaves head in fake cancer scam to swindle $15,000 from donors, Georgia cops say."