A FAKE BABY?
Somerset-area couple accused of baby scam
Couple charged in alleged scheme to get cash, gifts
A Somerset County couple were charged Thursday with multiple counts of theft after allegedly faking a pregnancy as well as a baby’s birth and death in July to obtain more than $600 in gifts and funeral expense donations from friends and through a GoFundMe account.
They are also accused of using the same pregnancy story to obtain gifts through a baby shower in May.
Kaycee Lang, 23, and Geoffrey Lang, 27, from Friedens, were charged by state police with theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, and receiving stolen property.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the Langs claimed the baby, named “Easton Walt Lang,” was born at 3:11 a.m. July 3 at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown. The couple claimed that the baby died hours later and that Ms. Lang was discharged shortly after the infant’s death. The couple posted photos of a baby on Facebook.
“Thebaby matched the appearance of a newborn look-alike baby doll,” the affidavit stated.
A GoFundMe account was set
up for the couple at the request of Mr. Lang’s mother. Kaycee Lang helped write a paragraph describing their cause and need for the funds. In turn, multiple people donated to the account, and the money was then released to the Langs, police said. The Langs had also received gifts such as diapers, wipes and outfits at the baby shower, the affidavit states.
Mr. Lang told police that the baby died from fluid in his lungs and a heart problem. He said he wasn’t present for the birth or death of the child.
Ms. Lang told police that the baby died from respiratory distress syndrome, a common breathing disorder that affects newborns, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Mr. Lang also told police that the baby was cremated at the Hindman Funeral Home. The funeral home later informed police it never cremated an infant belonging to the family.
After obtaining a search warrant for the Lang residence, police found “a lifelike baby doll” and an urn personalized for “Easton Walt Lang.”
The couple is also charged with theft for obtaining gifts at the baby shower, according to a state police public information release.
GoFundMe spokeswoman Meghan Scripture issued a statement saying that the site will “fully cooperate with law enforcement officials during their investigation, and we will issue full refunds to all donors.”
She added: “All donors are fully protected by the GoFundMe Guarantee, which means donors are protected by a comprehensive refund policy if misuse occurs. This campaign received 15 donations totaling $550.”