Fraudsters admit faking daughter's death

A man accused of helping his wife fake leukaemia in their seven-year-old daughter to obtain thousands of dollars in donations has admitted a charge of endangering children.

Robert Milbrandt, of Urbana, Ohio, also acknowledged, without admitting guilt, that there was enough evidence to convict him of felony theft. He faces up to six years in prison and a $12,500 (€10,000) fine.

His wife, Teresa Milbrandt, pleaded guilty to charges of endangering children, grand theft and eight counts of theft on Thursday, said prosecutor Nick Selvaggio. She faces up to 14-and-a-half years in prison and a $35,000 (€30,000) fine.

The Milbrandts are due to be sentenced on September 24.

In a case that received world coverage, police said the couple fooled 65 people and businesses into giving them up to $31,000 (€27,000) to help them treat their daughter’s fake illness.

Teresa Milbrandt shaved her daughter’s hair and gave her sleeping pills to make it appear she was receiving chemotherapy, made her wear a protective mask and put her in counselling to prepare for death.

Robert Milbrandt had said his wife handled all doctor visits and medical bills, and he believed her when she said their daughter had cancer.