Ohio mom accused of faking son's cancer is indicted on charges of child endangerment, theft

10/31/2013

NEWARK, Ohio — A central Ohio woman accused of faking a cancer diagnosis for her 4-year-old son has been indicted on felony charges of child endangerment and theft.

Authorities allege 31-year-old Emily Creno, of Utica, shaved her son’s head in a scheme that convinced him and others he was dying and bilked people out of donations.

Creno was arrested in September and charged with child endangerment. She will be arraigned Tuesday on the updated charges that were filed today in Licking County court.

To the original charge, Creno’s attorney filed court paperwork to pursue an insanity plea and a competency evaluation for his client. A message seeking comment on the new indictment was left Thursday for him.

Court records show Creno’s son underwent various medical testing and monitoring that found no problems.