Grandparents of sick child arrested for stealing donations
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 5:35 pm
This is sad for the mother and her son and VERY VERY low of the grandparents! How could they do this to their grandson?
DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- The grandparents of a 12-year-old boy waiting for a lung transplant are charged with emptying the charity account set up to pay for his medical expenses.
Charles Norman Vaughn Sr., 61, and Phyllis Vaughn, 55, were each charged Tuesday with felony theft of more than $10,000 after the boy's mother said an account for collecting community donations was found empty.
The couple opened the account in July 2001 for their grandson, Odell Terry, now 12, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and lung disease, police Sgt. Billy Williams said.
The donations, totaling about $30,000, were to fund the child's trips to St. Louis and Memphis hospitals for treatment, according to the police report.
An accounting investigation showed "questionable disbursements and inconsistent checks," the report said.
The child's mother, Lana Terry, became suspicious when they returned from St. Louis after an experimental drug improved his condition enough to return to Dyersburg.
"So when we got back home," Terry said, "I asked Dad how much was in the fund. Every time I asked I got a different answer, and each time the amount was smaller than before. I knew we weren't spending any more, because we were back home. I called the bank and found out there was no money."
Terry said she hopes people who previously donated won't be discouraged by the charges from giving to similar causes in the future.
"I know it's too late for us now; our ship has sailed," Terry said. "But please, please, people, there will always be other families and other children who need a transplant or who have cancer or leukemia."
DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- The grandparents of a 12-year-old boy waiting for a lung transplant are charged with emptying the charity account set up to pay for his medical expenses.
Charles Norman Vaughn Sr., 61, and Phyllis Vaughn, 55, were each charged Tuesday with felony theft of more than $10,000 after the boy's mother said an account for collecting community donations was found empty.
The couple opened the account in July 2001 for their grandson, Odell Terry, now 12, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and lung disease, police Sgt. Billy Williams said.
The donations, totaling about $30,000, were to fund the child's trips to St. Louis and Memphis hospitals for treatment, according to the police report.
An accounting investigation showed "questionable disbursements and inconsistent checks," the report said.
The child's mother, Lana Terry, became suspicious when they returned from St. Louis after an experimental drug improved his condition enough to return to Dyersburg.
"So when we got back home," Terry said, "I asked Dad how much was in the fund. Every time I asked I got a different answer, and each time the amount was smaller than before. I knew we weren't spending any more, because we were back home. I called the bank and found out there was no money."
Terry said she hopes people who previously donated won't be discouraged by the charges from giving to similar causes in the future.
"I know it's too late for us now; our ship has sailed," Terry said. "But please, please, people, there will always be other families and other children who need a transplant or who have cancer or leukemia."
I would like to hang them from their toe nails and beat with a wet stick!