US couple jailed over cancer scam

It is thought the family received more than $30,000 from well-wishers

A US couple who faked their seven-year-old daughter's leukaemia to gain thousands of dollars in donations have been sent to prison.

Teresa Milbrandt and her husband, Robert, fooled dozens of people in their home town of Urbana, Ohio into donating money towards medical care for their daughter, Hannah.

Authorities said Teresa Milbrandt shaved her daughter's hair, gave her sleeping pills to make it appear she was receiving chemotherapy, made her wear a protective mask and even sent her to counselling to prepare for death.

It is estimated that the family received more than $30,000 dollars in donations from well-wishers, which was then spent instead on treats for the family.

On Wednesday Mrs Milbrandt was sentenced to six and a half years after pleading guilty to child endangerment, grand theft and theft.

Mr Milbrandt had initially said he was unaware his wife was carrying out the eight-month deception.

He received nearly five years in prison after entering a plea of felony theft, under which he did not admit guilt but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict.

'Emotional harm'

Police officials said the scam began when Mrs Milbrandt produced leaflets with photos of Hannah and placed collection tins in shops inviting donations for supposed treatment.

I'm truly sorry for the pain I've inflicted on each and every one... I only pray someday you can forgive me Hannah's Teresa Milbrandt

The fraud was uncovered last December when school staff noticed tell-tale stubble on the girl's head, suggesting her hair had been cut and was not falling out.

They told police of their suspicions.

Prosecutor Nick Selvaggio told the Associated Press news agency he was satisfied with the verdict, but said that Hannah had suffered severe emotional trauma as a result of falsely believing she was fatally ill.

"We are pleased that our community and Hannah can put this horrific case behind them and that the Milbrandts were held accountable," he said.

"We presented evidence that detailed the severe emotional harm she suffered, and the clinical psychologist expects her to have treatment needs into adulthood."

Mr Selvaggio said that Hannah had since been placed in a foster home.

In court, Mrs Milbrandt read out a letter in which she apologised for the pain she had caused.

"I'm truly sorry for the pain I've inflicted on each and every one," she said.

"I only pray someday you can forgive me."