Wednesday Weirdness: Macomb County mother who faked son’s cancer gives up parental rights

Welcome to Wednesday Weirdness, a recurring theme where we post something truly weird and wacky in adoption or child welfare.

Today’s installment is about the scam that Carol Schnuphase perpetrated on her local church and neighborhood communities in Macomb County, Michigan.

“Roseville police said Schnuphase shaved the child’s head and laced his food with opiates to make him appear weak. Earlier last year, a local church and community members had donated gifts and cash totaling about $10,000, which Greco said Schnuphase wants to pay back. She’s in the Macomb County Jail. ”

“The boy has been in foster care since June, after a family friend alerted police that he did not have leukemia as had been claimed.”

Schnupase relinquished her parental rights on April 14, 2011 ” in a child custody hearing, meaning her 13-year-old son will remain in foster care until he is adopted.

Carol Schnuphase, 47, pleaded no contest in February to charges of fraud and child abuse and was sentenced in late March to a year in jail, with credit for 179 days served. She was arrested in late September.”

“Greco said it’s unclear what will happen to the boy. Family members may step up to adopt him, but “the process takes a year,” he said, “and that’s if they had someone ready right now.”

Macomb County mother who faked son’s cancer gives up parental rights
[The Detroit Free Press 4/14/11 by Megha Satyanarayana]