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Police: Indiana woman faked having cancer to collect money through GoFundMe

Posted at 11:14 PM, Oct 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-03 20:21:14-04

SWITZERLAND COUNTY, Ind. -- An Indiana woman was arrested after police say she pretended to have cancer and solicited donations for her medical bills through a GoFundMe page.

Santana M. Banta, 29, of Patriot, Indiana was arrested Friday, according to Indiana State Police.

Authorities said the investigation began in early September when someone contacted Indiana State Police, saying Banta had made several claims on social media that she was suffering from a terminal illness, and she was being treated at James Graham Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Police said she collected about $3,000 through her GoFundMe page and used the money for personal reasons.

Banta was arrested on charges of theft and deception, police said. She is being held at the Switzerland County Jail.