Woman accused of stealing money from charity raising money for cancer patient

Raymond,
I do understand your concern and doubts however.....
Let me clarify a few things. I headed up and handled Austins Army benefit back in May of 2012. It was a wonderful turnout and a great success. Our community, school district and friends did a great job. I was truely warmed by the generosity from everyone at such a trying time for this family. This was and still is a legit fund raiser and Austin Heineman does have a very serious, rare form of childhood cancer and continues to fight everyday for his life. It is very sad that the individual in this article took it upon herself to steal checks and write them to herself for her own gain. She was never entrusted to manage these funds ever. She had nothing to do with his account at all, ever. Austin's Army account is safe and thats the reason why this individual was arrested for stealing funds. It is a federal tax Id numbered account, specifically set up for his medical expenses.

Five Star Bank continues to handle this account and did a great job handling the situation. It is very unfair to classify this Fund Raiser with people falsely claiming to have cancer and accepting donations or someone being entrusted to handle the account and misusing the funds. This account is neither.

It is a very sad situation all around. What Jodi Coe did was wrong no doubt. She definently needs some help and all we can do is continue to pray for her and her children.
Austin continues on the fight for his life and is headed to Maryland next week to endure in extensive chemo to get him ready for his bone marrow transplant. Pray for him also.

I hope everyone continues to support Austin and Austin's Army. He is a great kid and as you can imagine his medical expenses are continuing to escalate.
Thank you to everyone that has helped along Austin's journey.
You can follow his progress on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AustinsArmy

Thank you
Renee Franclemont

I'm no doctor, but from what I understand the heavy duty chemo that prepares someone for a bone marrow transplant is so severe it must kill the good as well as the bad blood cells in order prepare the body for the transplant. In this situation the body's immune system is fragile and not able to fight infection and the transplant process itself is grueling. I cannot image the strength and courage it takes for a teenager to undergo such a process. God bless Austin and his army. Many good people are on board to help this young man. The selfish alleged actions of this woman will not deter them, and I hope they do not deter others from donating to this cause.

I understand your trepidation on this Raymond, but to throw under the bus all the wonderful people benefitting from these charities and going thru hell and torment just to be able to live. That to me, seems like letting these criminals win, it doesnt seem that criminal are ever successful in scamming or stealing for very long or for very much. But in my opinion the good these benefits and charities do far outweigh the chances of being ripped off. That being said once a jury of her peers finds her guilty I hope the judge gives her the max and then some due to the circumstances and the true victim of this crime. God Bless you Austin and may he touch everyone who has helped, either with time or funds to get you through this. Also I'd like to appreciate Five Star Bank stepping into the gap for the Heinemans and taking the loss onto themselves a very un-corporate, but kind thing to do that most banks wouldnt have even considered doing.