Ohio cancer scheme suspect wants to plead insanity

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) — A central Ohioan accused of faking a cancer diagnosis for her 4-year-old son is pursuing an insanity plea on a child-endangerment charge.

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

Creno’s attorney wants a competency evaluation for her and has filed a motion seeking to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He argues Creno has a history of mental illness and didn’t know her actions were criminal.

A prosecutor tells The Columbus Dispatch he thinks Creno tried to cover up lies with some of her actions.

Creno was arrested earlier this month. Her next hearing in a Licking County court is scheduled Oct. 31.