Karmelo Anthony has begun serving his 35-year prison sentence following his conviction for murder. Meanwhile, the fundraising campaign his mother, Kala Hayes, initiated to support their family has been removed from the GiveSendGo platform.
This campaign was launched on April 15, 2025, shortly after Anthony was involved in the tragic incident that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf. The fatal stabbing occurred during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, an event that shocked the community.
Despite his conviction, Anthony is not giving up the fight for his freedom. He has already filed a notice of appeal, aiming to overturn the court’s decision. The move indicates that his legal battle is far from over, even as he starts his lengthy sentence.
The removal of the fundraiser from GiveSendGo highlights the challenges Anthony’s family faces as they navigate the legal and emotional aftermath of this case. The platform, known for supporting various causes, had briefly hosted the campaign before it was taken down.
The fundraiser for convicted murderer Karmelo Anthony and his family has been taken down from the GiveSendGo crowdfunding website. (GiveSendGo)
All the while, the fundraiser for Anthony and his family, titled, “Help Karmelo Official Fund,” initially had a goal of generating nearly $1.4 million, and raised just shy of $634,000.
The now-defunct fundraiser shared this purpose, according to the website:
The online fundraiser for Karmelo Anthony and his family, organized by his mother, Kala Hayes, has been scrubbed from the GiveSendGo website. (GiveSendGo)
“While legal defense is a critical part of this journey, we want to make it clear that this fund is not solely dedicated to legal expenses. The funds raised will also support a range of urgent and necessary means that have emerged as a result of the situation, including – but not limited to – the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being, as well as basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other security measures.”
It was not immediately clear where the Anthony family moved to from their Frisco, Texas home.
However, a man who identifies himself as Anthony’s father on Facebook, Drew Anthony, has publicly posted in his profile that he currently lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A man who identifies himself as the father of Karmelo Anthony appears to live in New Orleans, Louisiana (Facebook)
In a post on X, GiveSendGo wrote in part:Â
“The fundraiser was created to support pre-trial needs, and those funds were dispersed over the past year for lawful purposes, including legal defense and family relocation with that stated purpose now complete the fundraiser has been closed. Our policy is that a fundraiser stated purpose stays accurate so givers always know what they are supporting.”
While one fundraiser was scrubbed, another has reportedly reappeared in support of the Anthony family. A new fundraising campaign was started by Dominique Alexander. Anthony’s family has had Dallas-based civil rights activist Minister Dominque Alexander as a spokesperson throughout the case.
News Media reached out to the Anthony family, Alexander and GiveSendGo for comment.
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