Overview
- Authorities say Maitlin White was charged in Harris County on Jan. 2 with two felony counts of online impersonation for posing as a victim’s father to solicit donations.
- U.S. Marshals arrested White in Okaloosa County, Florida, on Jan. 9, and she remains jailed as she awaits extradition to Texas.
- An affidavit states she created GoFundMe and Spotfund pages on July 8 using Matthew Childress’s identity and a photo of counselor Chloe Childress, with the fraud reported to investigators on July 10.
- Records provided by the platforms, along with phone data, banking details and an IP address, allegedly tied the accounts to White, who investigators say admitted creating them and linking her bank account.
- GoFundMe reports the fake page raised $5 and no funds were accessed, and Florida court records show White was separately charged with felony battery on Jan. 14.