Police: Mom lied about 5-year-old child's cancer

ATLANTIC, IA (KTRK) -- A community that spent the past year rallying around a child it believed had cancer is learning it may have all been a scam for money.

Leatha Slauson was arrested in Iowa Friday. Police say she told people her five-year-old daughter had cancer. The community raised thousands of dollars, believing the money would be used for medical expenses.

"They have just placed their life and limb out there. They have put in hours. They've put in their heart, their soul, their body, their spirit, their minds," said Cass County attorney Daniel Feistner said. "They have just put forth everything for this child."

Friday afternoon, investigators announced they'd just learned that the child wasn't sick.

Slauson is charged with child endangerment and drug distribution for allegedly giving her child cannabis oil.