VERNAL, Utah – Police booked a Vernal mother into jail after she allegedly lied about her daughter having cancer in order to get donations.
Police officials said 30-year-old Abreail Denise Winkler, who goes by Abby, convinced people her 4-year-old daughter was battling leukemia, and officials said Winkler had even convinced her child she was sick.
Winkler allegedly accepted more than $3,000 in donations.
Vernal police officials said they contacted the Division of Child and Family Services about medical records regarding the child, and none of the records suggested leukemia was an issue.
Vernal resident Erin Hacking said she was shocked by the revelation.
“Why such a lie and to involve a child?” Hacking said. “And I don’t even think she was thinking about her child, how could you think about your child in a situation like that?”
Winkler is facing a communication fraud charge. Vernal police said anyone who may have donated to Winkler should contact them at 435-789-5835.
