A western Iowa woman, accused of faking her daughter’s cancer, has been denied a bond review. Police say 30-year-old Leatha Slauson of Atlantic lied about her 5-year-old daughter having cancer in order to solicit thousands of dollars in donations. Slauson entered a written plea of not guilty today to charges that include child endangerment and first-degree theft.
Slauson’s attorney, Jay Mez of Council Bluffs, proposed Slauson be released from jail and allowed to reside with her mother in Hampton. Cass County District Court Chief Judge Jeffrey Larson said Slauson continues to pose a risk to the community and agreed with Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner that her cash only bond remain at $35,000.
Slauson’s trial is set for November 12. Police say in addition to lying about the cancer, Slauson inserted a feeding tube into her daughter and injected her with cancer drugs she didn’t need.
(Reporting by Mark Saylor, KJAN, Atlantic)