# Mom fools daughter into thinking she has leukemia **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2002, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908 "2002-12-19T22:05:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/1 "2002-12-19T22:05:06Z")
[http://www.activedayton.com/ddn/local/daily/1219sickscam.html](http://www.activedayton.com/ddn/local/daily/1219sickscam.html) > [@](#): > > T. Milbrandt, 35, is being investigated by Urbana police, accused of convincing her 7-year-old daughter and the public that the child was dying and needed money to pay for medical services. > > \ > > Reese said Terri Milbrandt researched the effects of leukemia and got her daughter to pose as a leukemia patient, giving the child sleeping pills and shaving her head. :mad: :mad: :mad: Silver lining: Little girl gets her life back for Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/2 "2002-12-19T22:07:56Z")
It’s [already being done](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=151460). This is just despicable. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/3 "2002-12-19T22:17:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Attrayant \* > \*\*Silver lining: Little girl gets her life back for Christmas. \*\* I almost said the same thing in the other thread, but then I thought that’s probably somewhat offset by finding out your Mom is a crazy evil cunt-rag. ---
**Author:** ![Zazie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Zazie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zazie)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/4 "2002-12-19T22:22:02Z")
I saw this same story today on the web… The most horrifying (if possible) of all, she enrolled her daughter in councelling where they “prepare you to die”… Poor kid… She is old enough to remember and be scared for life. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/5 "2002-12-19T23:26:25Z")
I say she get a mark written on her head depicting the sort of person she is. And that mark shall say: **Cunt Bitch**. I have said/written that first word three times in my life. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Redboss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@Redboss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redboss)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/6 "2002-12-20T00:21:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ENugent \* > \*\*It’s [already being done](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=151460). \*\* Yes, but not in a thread whose title **actually conveys some meaning**. Those of us who actually value our time have learnt not to open threads with titles like “Merry Fucking Christmas” or “I Am So Angry” because they are seldom worth it. **Attrayant** writes good thread titles; those who want their own threads read should learn by example. The more useful information in your title the more interesting the whole Board is. Redboss ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/7 "2002-12-20T03:17:19Z")
Oh my god! :eek: Poor kid. I hope she finds a new, loving family. ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/8 "2002-12-20T20:33:48Z")
Is this technically the same as Munchausen’s(sp) by proxy? Or is that where you do it to yourself? Anyway, the fact that it happens often enough that it has a name is rather frightening. I am glad the girl can now attempt to lead a normal life. Although one doesn’t know how much mental, as well as physical, damage has been inflicted on her by her mother. ---
**Author:** ![Zazie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Zazie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zazie)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/9 "2002-12-20T20:36:54Z")
Unfortunatly I believe it was only the gain of money that made it for the mom, so I don’t think it is really the same as Munchausen’s(sp) disorder. ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/10 "2002-12-20T20:39:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Heloise \* > \*\*Is this technically the same as Munchausen’s(sp) by proxy? Or is that where you do it to yourself? \*\* The news report I saw about it last night made it pretty clear that she was doing it for the MONEY, not attention–which is the objective of Munchausen By Proxy sufferers. Apparently thousands of dollars had already been contributed to the “sick child” fund and Mom was milking it for all it was worth. Besides being a sick and cruel thing to do to a trusting little child, I also curse this woman for every person who hesitates about contributing money to needy families of the ill because they remember this story. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/11 "2002-12-20T20:57:31Z")
I saw this on the news last night, and they also made it fairly clear that she was in it for the money. There is now, officially, no limit to the lowest point of human depravity and greed. That poor girl. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/12 "2002-12-20T21:55:44Z")
Just to clarify, **Heloise** , Munchausen Syndrome is when a person pretends that _(s)he_ is sick, sometimes to the point of inducing symptoms in himself/herself. Munchausen _by Proxy_ syndrome is where a person makes someone else sick. In both cases, the person with the syndrome craves the attention and sympathy the illness brings. Just faking an illness to get some benefit (a homeless person looking for a warm bed, a drug addict who wants to get drugs, etc.) is called _malingering_. So I guess this is kind of malingering by proxy. (Disclaimer: IANA Doctor or expert in psychiatric disorders. This is based on prior knowledge, with some quick Googling to confirm.) Whatever it, it’s pretty fucking sick. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/13 "2002-12-20T21:58:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Heloise \* > \*\*Is this technically the same as Munchausen’s(sp) by proxy? Or is that where you do it to yourself? Anyway, the fact that it happens often enough that it has a name is rather frightening. \*\* Quick note: The _proxy_ part of “Munchausen’s by proxy” refers to other person. “Munchausen Syndrome” is when you do it to yourself. > [@](#): > > _Originall posted by Mighty\_Girl_ > **Oh my god! Poor kid. I hope she finds a new, loving family.** Her father wasn’t in on it. The wife lied to him as well. He found out about it a few weeks ago and tried to deal with it internally within the family – he finaly took his wife to a psychiatric facility when he figured out that she is wacko and he was in over his head. If he is found by investigators to really, truly be innocent, the little girl might be returned to her fatherwhen the despicable mom goes to jail. ---
**Author:** ![Heloise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@Heloise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heloise)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/14 "2002-12-22T21:41:26Z")
Okay, I see. I didn’t read the link, so I didn’t realize it was just for money. I still don’t want to read the link, it’s too darn depressing and makes me angry just knowing what this greedy harpy did. And for the damage she did to the child, I think she should be put down. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/15 "2002-12-23T19:13:13Z")
It seems she may have had help from others… [http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2002/12/21/1040448018.01917.0193.0881.html](http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/newsfd/auto/feed/news/2002/12/21/1040448018.01917.0193.0881.html) ---
**Author:** ![Daowajan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Daowajan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daowajan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/16 "2002-12-23T19:25:23Z")
:eek: This is unbelievable! And it’s getting more so by the minute! ---
**Author:** ![Igloo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Igloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Igloo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/17 "2002-12-24T17:30:59Z")
This tops it for me. Now I have heard _everything._ Nothing can possibly be weirder, crueler, or more unforgiving.\* \*Excluding murder ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/18 "2002-12-24T20:00:41Z")
Oh, I’m sure something worse will happen soon enough, Igloo. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Roadwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Roadwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadwalker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/19 "2002-12-24T22:39:50Z")
Kids with cancer is no F\*\*\*ing joke. This “mom” almost makes me want to wish cancer on her. But I’ve seen a little girl die of it and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Not even this sorry excuse for a parent. ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908/20 "2002-12-24T22:44:38Z")
Sorry to hijack a Pit thread. It’s good to see you **Roadwalker** - how are you guys doing? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mom-fools-daughter-into-thinking-she-has-leukemia/143908.md?page=2)