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An Indiana resident is now facing legal charges after allegedly securing grant funds under false pretenses for her child’s feeding tube.
Alanna Brown was taken into custody on Friday and has been charged with fraud as well as neglect of a dependent leading to bodily harm.
The situation came to light in April when Brown’s toddler was admitted to the hospital for issues related to breathing and feeding, ultimately diagnosed with moderate malnutrition. Contrary to Brown’s claims that her child needed feeding tubes and had difficulty swallowing, several individuals, including the child’s father and preschool teacher, disputed these assertions, as reported by WXIN.
Over a span of 22 months, Brown is accused of obtaining $96,688.44 from a local charity intended for her child’s medical care. A friend reportedly informed investigators that the child “didn’t need to be” on a feeding tube despite Brown receiving financial aid from an organization dedicated to supporting young children and the elderly.
Furthermore, WXIN reported that footage from a Ring camera captured Brown expressing distress over potential financial difficulties should her child’s feeding tube be removed.
“Now, I got to refigure my bills…because I’m not going to lose a f**king payment from her so she can eat,” she was allegedly filmed saying.
Marion Source News reported that residents contacted them in June with their allegations against Brown.
The child’s father allegedly told police that he was concerned because their child never had problems eating while in his care. The father asked about the feeding tube, but he was not allowed to attend doctor’s appointments, according to WXIN.
Additionally, a doctor also expressed concern about keeping the child in Brown’s care due to the possibility of them continuing to lose weight. WXIN reported that the child gained weight after being removed from Brown’s home in October.
Marion Source News reported that Brown is free on $2,000 bond.