FORT WAYNE, IN – Authorities have charged a woman for allegedly deceitfully portraying her daughter’s medical condition to gain public sympathy and financial support. Katherine Jackson, 41, faces charges of felony neglect and fraud after claims about her daughter’s health were found to be misleading, according to legal documents.
For years, Jackson had shared a dramatic narrative about her young daughter’s health, alleging that the child was suffering from a terminal illness. However, prosecutors reveal that while the daughter does suffer from a genetic disorder, it is classified as chronic rather than terminal.
Reports suggest that Jackson’s purported deception extended to soliciting support via a GoFundMe page in 2021. She claimed her daughter suffered from Pilarowski-Bjornsson Syndrome (PBS) and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), which purportedly caused a staggering number of daily seizures. Her plea also captured the attention of local media and charitable organizations.
Jackson’s GoFundMe campaign described a dire scenario, predicting a life expectancy of just six months to one year for her daughter and expressing a dying wish to visit Walt Disney World. This account subsequently drew coverage, amplifying her situation in the public eye.
Doctors from the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital raised suspicions of potential medical neglect when Jackson’s daughter continued to exhibit severe symptoms despite receiving prescriptions for management. They discovered that prescribed medications were not consistently administered.
In light of these allegations, authorities removed Jackson’s other two children from her care, placing them in foster homes. Initial reports from foster parents noted developmental concerns, indicating neither child was potty trained or enrolled in school at ages 5 and 6.
With charges now filed, Jackson faces significant legal battles ahead. She has been charged with one count of fraud and two counts of neglect of a dependent, underscoring the gravity of the alleged neglect.
The unfolding case raises questions about the safeguards in place for monitoring medical needs and highlights the complexities surrounding claims of rare disorders. Legal proceedings will determine the extent of Jackson’s accountability in this troubling saga.