Ohio mother indicted in alleged cancer scheme

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — A central Ohio woman accused of faking a cancer diagnosis for her 4-year-old son has been indicted on felony charges of child endangerment and theft.

Authorities allege 31-year-old Emily Creno, of Utica, shaved her son’s head in a scheme that convinced him and others he was dying and bilked people out of donations.

Creno was arrested in September. She will be arraigned Tuesday on the updated charges, which were filed today in Licking County court.

Creno had been charged earlier with child endangerment, and her attorney filed court paperwork to pursue an insanity plea and a competency evaluation for his client.

Court records show Creno’s son underwent various medical testing and monitoring that found no problems.