Mom claimed her son had cancer to collect donations, police say Police say a New Jersey mother falsely claimed her son had cancer in a months-long scheme to collect donations from her friends. MyFoxPhilly.com reports that 35-year-old Susan Stillwaggon faces charges of theft by deception, forgery and child endangerment for her role in the alleged scheme. Police tell the station Stillwaggon had convinced her son he was sick. More than $1,000 was collected as part of the alleged hoax, which began six months ago, the station reported. The Courier Post reports that investigators began looking into the mother's story after receiving an anonymous tip. Numerous fundraising events were held in the son's name, according to the report. Stillwaggon's mother tells MyFoxPhilly.com her daughter is sick and is currently hospitalized. Click here for more from MyFoxPhilly.com. Click here for more from the Courier-Post.