Fake Cancer - Edward Downing and Stephanie Skeris

0:00For everyone who solves crime from their couch knows more about forensics than their own job and has trust issues with small-town sheriffs. Amazon Music's millions of podcast episodes are calling. Just download the Amazon Music app and start listening to your favorite true crime podcasts ad-free. Included with Prime. Stoveleg Media Igniting Conversation. Welcome to True Crime to Go. What can I get for you? Yeah, I'm feeling something pretty crazy, so why don't we venture down the floor to talk about some parents of the year maybe? Cool up to the second window and we'll see you next crime. Welcome to True Crime to Go. I am John here with Jamie. You're a father. How you doing, man? Never been accused of being father of the year, so... Well, you know, if you are up against these folks,

1:02the competition is pretty light. I'm hoping this makes me feel a little better about myself. Not entirely sure where you're going with this, but I'm very hopeful. Well, you're not going to be in good company because these are some dirt bags. So let's go down to Florida, shall we? In March 2025, Stephanie Skier's spoke about family hardships and she stated that community donations were helping tremendously to pay for doctor visits, so it's, you know, it's easing the burden that the family had. So the following report from local businesses, including Papa Luigi's restaurant there in Florida, which is a restaurant that raised money to aid this woman's 15-year-old son who has reported to have been battling a fight against cancer. Edward Downing and Stephanie Skier's repeatedly told community members, local businesses and media outlets that their 15-year-old

2:04son had been diagnosed with cancer. They organized and promoted multiple fundraisers, both in-person community events hosted by businesses and online efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign. To solicit donations specifically for alleged cancer treatment, surgery, and related expenses, those donations were directed to a designated bank account that was intended for those medical costs. Over time, thousands of dollars were collected through many, many separate efforts and the support of many, many people. In late 2025 and early 2026, the Dixie County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division began a month's long investigation after concerns surfaced. Investigators reviewed medical records and consulted with healthcare providers. They confirmed that the boy never had ever, ever, ever been diagnosed with cancer. Jamie, these financial records

3:04of the account revealed the funds were not used for medical expenses. Transactions included retail purchases, fuel, restaurant meals, and cash withdrawals. Yeah, they do the concerns for the boy. Obviously, this is not a situation where people are on the up and up, so they removed him from his home and placed him in protective care. And just last month, on February 27th, following an investigation, arrests were issued based on sworn affidavits. Both downing and scaris were arrested that day by Dixie County Sheriff's deputies. They faced third-degree felony charges, scheme to defraud, communications fraud, and neglect of a child in one count of each of those four each person bond was set at $75,000 per defendant. They were booked into the Dixie County jail, but have since been released on bond pending further proceedings. As of this month, there's been no trial outcome. Please or additional updates that you can find in those public

4:09reports since they were arrested and released. Yeah, it's awful. The community organized and did so much good on behalf of this young man only to now realize that they were scammed. I think it goes without saying that businesses do so much to support their local communities. I feel like any business is going to give out of the goodness of their own heart, and they're not going to stop because of this crap, but it is this evil that makes it sometimes questionable whether what you're giving to is actually going to do good. Yeah, and this is a big reason why people are hesitant to give sometimes, and I just can't imagine taking the, I don't know, how do you get past the obvious moral problems with this to move yourself forward? It's very frustrating to hear of other people do it, and you know, it's for those of us with a moral compass, I think it's pretty

5:11unfathomable. Yeah, I wish, I don't know, I wish we could see a public humiliation come back because these people deserve it. Absolutely. John, I appreciate you bringing awareness to this, as always, this is all legit, but as we get updates, we will absolutely share those with you. This has been a crime story in 10 minutes or less. Would you like crime with that? For everyone who solves crime from their couch knows more about forensics than their own job. And has trust issues with small town sheriffs, Amazon Music's millions of podcast episodes are calling. Just download the Amazon Music app and start listening to your favorite true crime podcasts, Add Free, included with Prime. You've listened to True Crime Cast, distributed by Stove Leg Media. Check out stoveleg.com to find out more about your hosts and to find other podcasts to listen to. Stove Leg Media, igniting conversation.