Parents Fake Son's Cancer For Donations, Syracuse Football Team Visit

A couple from New York lied about a story about their son having cancer in order to solicit more than $3,000 in donations for his recovery, according to the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say that Martin and Jolene LaFrance faked the story of their son, CJ LaFrance, having Hodgkin lymphoma.

They were charged last week with scheme to defraud and endangering the welfare of a child. The scheme to defraud charge is a felony. The LaFrances are set to appear in court on May 16 for an arraignment.

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A months-long investigation showed that the couple set up a GoFundMe page, receiving $3,334 in donations and learned "conclusively" that CJ had cancer. The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office says the son, now 10, believed he was diagnosed with cancer, but didn't know how severe the illness was.

According to Syracuse.com, following the visit, another family member said that CJ's cancer had upgraded to Stage 3, went through a round of radiation and that he had surgery to lymph nodes.

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