A woman accused of lying about herself and her son having cancer was arrested while traveling to appear on an episode of Dr. Phil.
25-year-old Melissa Barton of Troy, Illinois was nabbed by police at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois as she was in route to fly to Chicago to film for Dr. Phil.
According to local authorities, Barton carried out her heartless scam online, at an area church and in person. During each interaction she would request cash donations for her family. She went as far as to post an image of herself looking unwell via Youcaring.com to garner unwarranted sympathy for her and her son.
Barton is alleged to have accepted numerous donations from people who believed that both she and her son had leukemia.
Following her arrest in Springfield, she was transferred to Madison County Jail where her bond was set at $100,000.
This was Barton’s 2nd arrest as she was charged for the same crime earlier this month based on a separate claim and warrant. At the time she posted a $50,000 bond.
Chief Parsons of the Troy Police Department said, “Right now I can tell you that the case isn’t closed. We’re following every lead and looking for more victims. But no additional charges are imminent.”
UPDATE – Melissa pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft by deception in October of 2017. She received an 18-month prison sentence with 3 years of probation after her release.
From the Belleville News-Democrat:
[Madison County Circuit Judge Kyle Napp] sentenced Barton to 18 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections on one charge, to be followed by 30 months of probation on the other charge. She will be required to repay $1,290 to the people who donated to her, including First Baptist Church of Maryville, which provided rental assistance. If the victims cannot be found, Napp said, their funds would be donated to the American Cancer Society.
