UPDATE: Police say Logan mom falsely claimed sons were sick

Police have arrested a Logan mother that they say falsely claimed her sons were ill to solicit money from family, friends and the public.

Logan police say 25-year-old Celestina Nolasco claimed her 4-year-old and 6-year-old sons suffered from leukemia and other conditions and claimed they were undergoing treatments like chemotherapy and bone-marrow transplants.

Authorities say Nolasco convinced family and friends of the illnesses and posted flyers at local businesses in order to collect money.

Police say Nolasco also had her sons undergo medical treatments they did not need.

She was arrested Thursday on suspicion of child abuse and fraud.

After several twists and turns after the arrest of Nolasco Thursday, the fundraising event will move forward with all proceeds going to the Child and Family Support Center and <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.facebook.com/projectnico”>Project Nico</a>, benefiting a six-year old boy with a tumor behind his eye.

Child and Family Support Center development associate, Jennifer Christensen, says that the center will be the official sponsor of the event now and shepherd the funds to viable organizations.

“We do not want to let an accusation of fraud derail a good event like this and the good will of people,” Christensen says.

She says 100% of the funds will go to legitimate causes.

The fundraising event that was planned for the children, including a Zumbathon, and had been scheduled for Friday, September 21 at the American West Heritage Center. Organizers and sponsors were not aware of the fraudulent nature of the illness claims.

A bake sale and silent auction begins at 6 p.m. with the dance-a-thon going from 7-9 p.m. with live drums and disco lights. For more information about Friday’s fundraiser, contact Deo Marshall at 512-7386.

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