I’m not an overtly superstitious person, but I also don’t like to tempt fate. I think there is some weight behind the concept of manifestation. After all, you first have to believe something is possible before you set yourself in motion to do it. I also believe it can work the opposite way: If you speak negativity out loud often enough, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. Although my anxiety does a lovely job of producing negative thoughts, such as worrying my child will be diagnosed with a disease like cancer, I try not to speak them aloud. It’s hard for me to understand how anyone could risk the negative impacts of such a thing, let alone cook up an entire scheme around it.
Apparently, Florida parents Edward Downing and Stephanie Skeris, had no such qualms. They stand accused of faking their son’s cancer diagnosis in order to collect donation money, according to People.
A months-long investigation came to a head when the parents were arrested and charged for their fraudulent actions.
Investigators claim Downing and Stephanie Skeri told several members of the community, media outlets, and businesses that their 15-year-old child had cancer and then accepted donations for his “treatment,” a news release from the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office noted. After poring over the boy’s medical records and having consultations with health care providers, authorities from the sheriff’s office determined the boy never had cancer. Furthermore, they proved Medicaid was paying all his legitimate medical bills.
According to the news release, the alleged scam evolved from a doctor’s visit in December of 2024 when the parents were concerned about their son’s weight loss and “other” medical issues.
“Medical providers conducted evaluations and testing, which did not identify cancer or tumors,” the release posted on social media read. “Medical professionals instead recommended nutritional support, monitoring, and follow-up care.”
And yet, the parents reportedly told everyone he had cancer in multiple areas of his body, including his chest and internal organs.
Multiple fundraisers took place in the community and through businesses to raise money.
Donors were told the money was going to things such as cancer treatments and medical expenses. In a March 2025 interview with WCJB, which was reporting on how local business Papa Luigi’s was donating $3 of every purchase, all three family members “opened up” about the diagnosis’ impact on their lives.
“Right now, we found out that he has cancer, and I don’t really know how to take this. As a father, all I can do is love him day by day, just hoping he gets better,” Ed Downing shared with the outlet.
The boy detailed how a lump on his chest “popped out” and prompted them to go to the hospital but admitted he felt “pretty normal.”
“It helps tremendously to pay for his doctor visits, so it’s not so hard on us and everything else,” added Stephanie Skeris in reference to the generosity of businesses like Papa Luigi’s.
Investigators also found a GoFundMe campaign was created for the alleged cancer treatments and a supposed surgery.
The investigation also revealed medical professionals and child protection investigators had concerns related to the teen’s ‘well-being and medical care.’
The news release further stated that investigators identified the financial records of the bank account setup for the teen’s medical expenses showed funds from donations weren’t used for that at all. Multiple personal purchases including retail transactions, fuel, restaurant meals, and cash withdrawals were activity documented on the account.
Since his parents’ arrests, the teen has been put into protective care. He still is being evaluated by medical providers and they are treating him as necessary, according to the release from the sheriff’s office.
Downing and Skeris were each charged with third-degree felonies under Florida law, one count each of neglect of a child, scheme to defraud, and communications fraud, per People. Each was held on a $75,000 bond but has since been released. No known court date has been scheduled at this time.
