Couple jailed for faking daughter's cancer

A US couple who admitted faking their seven-year-old daughter's leukaemia to gain thousands of dollars in donations have been jailed.

Teresa Milbrandt was sentenced to six and a half years and her husband, Robert, to four years and 11 months by a court in Urbana, Ohio.

Police said the Milbrandts fooled 65 people and businesses into giving them money to help them treat their daughter, Hannah. It is estimated they collected about $31,000 (€27,000).

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 put her into counselling to prepare for death.

Teresa Milbrandt read a letter in court apologising to her daughter, her family and the community. She pleaded guilty last month to charges of endangering children, grand theft and eight counts of theft.

Robert Milbrandt pleaded guilty to one count of endangering children. He also entered a plea to theft under which he did not admit guilt, but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict.

Hannah's illness was discovered to be a hoax in December 2002.