Florida Couple Busted After Allegedly Faking Teen Son’s Cancer to Cash In on Donations

Two parents from Florida, who allegedly faked that their teenage son had cancer to collect donations, were arrested. Authorities said they convinced people to donate money into a fake medical fund for their son's treatment and spent the funds on restaurant meals and other personal expenses.

Edward Downing and Stephanie Skeris were arrested on February 27 after a month-long investigation. Investigators say Downing and Skeris carried out scheme to collect money from donors who believed their 15-year-old son had cancer. According to the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, the scheme has been going on for months.

In December 2024, Downing and Skeris began seeking financial help for medical care of their 15-year-old, claiming he was experiencing weight loss and other health concerns. However, doctors found no evidence of cancer or tumors after conducting medical tests, according to police.

Despite learning their son was healthy, investigators said both Downing and Skeris told community members and business owners that their son had cancer. They allegedly claimed that the cancer had “affected multiple areas of his body, including the chest and internal organs,” the police mentioned in a statement.

The claims prompted community members and local businesses to organize fundraisers for the “sick teen.” Investigators said, Downing and Skeris deposited the donations into a bank account set up for the teens' medical expenses, but used the money for personal expenses. Those expenses included restaurant meals, fuel, and cash withdrawals, according to investigators.

Several online fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe account was created for the 15-year-old boy they claimed had cancer. The fundraising pages were created to solicit more donations for his “treatment” and “surgery”, according to police.

A pizza resturant named “Papa Luigi’s” located in Old Town also held a fund raiser for the Downing family after the boy was reportedly diagnosed with cancer, reported by WCBJ. The report said, the restaurant donated $3 from each purchase to the family for the treatment of their son, for a limited period of time.

“Right now, we found out that he has cancer, and I don’t really know how to take this. As a father, all I can do is love him day by day, just hoping he gets better,” Downing said, according to WCBJ.

An April 2025 Facebook post from the Downing family read “thanks to the owners of ocean pond and to the people who donated.”

Downing and Skeris were both arrested on February 27 and charged with a scheme to defraud and neglect of a child, according to police. Both were released form custody after posting $75,000 bond each.