Police: Suburban Philadelphia woman faked cancer diagnosis to pay bills, drug debt

Police: Pa. woman faked cancer, solicited money

WILLOW GROVE, Pa. — A suburban Philadelphia woman is facing theft and forgery charges for allegedly faking a cancer diagnosis to solicit donations she used to support her social life.

Twenty-six-year-old Alicia Tolton was arraigned Thursday after police say she confessed to the months-long scam when officers created a ruse of their own.

Upper Moreland Township Police Chief Thomas Nestel says Tolton admitted the fraud when confronted by officers who invited her in to discuss a donation from the department’s benevolent association.

Investigators say the Willow Grove woman shaved her head, solicited donations online and organized fundraisers, then used the money to pay bills and drug debt. Police are trying to determine how much money she collected.

Tolton is being held on $25,000 bail. It was not clear if she had an attorney.