Cops: Montco woman arrested for keeping donations
An East Norriton woman has been arrested and charged with creating an online fund-raising page for a friend whose husband had pancreatic cancer, but keeping the money herself.
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An East Norriton woman has been arrested and charged with creating an online fund-raising page for a friend whose husband had pancreatic cancer, but keeping the money herself.
Traci Small Kratzer, 39, was charged Tuesday with theft. Montgomery County officials said she took more than $8,000 by setting up a fraudulent online charity fund-raiser.
Kratzer created a website in April on www.youcaring.com, police said, connected it to her own bank account, and advertised it as a fund-raiser for John Henson.
"Help Jay Henson [Deven Eberz Husband] beat Cancer!!!!" she advertised on Facebook, police said.
Deven Henson told police she never asked Kratzer to set up a website for her husband and repeatedly asked her for the log-in information.
After Kratzer created the site, she wrote the Henson family two checks for $970 each. Then the money stopped coming even though the website remained in place, Deven Henson told police.
The family then contacted police.
More than 25 people who donated to the charity site told police they believed they were donating to the Henson family.
Kratzer's bank account showed that the only deposits into her account between May and July were from the account she established to receive donations. More than 90 donations were made, police said. The bank statements also showed numerous withdrawals, for purchases at Target, Toys R Us, McDonald's, Rite Aid, and Sunoco.
Police said Kratzer admitted to the theft in an interview and said she intended to give the money to the Hensons, but needed it to pay bills.
Kratzer was arraigned Tuesday on four felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property and released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
She could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said she would seek restitution in the case. Officials also said the Henson family is now accepting donations at a different website: www.myjaybird.com.
Jay Henson, a chef and father of two young girls, was found to have pancreatic cancer in December, according to the family's note on the website. He has been undergoing chemotherapy for five months.
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@Lmccrystal