Woman accused of stealing donations

by Kevin Lilly
Pharos-Tribune news editor

July 24, 2008 02:45 pm

— After receiving a report of theft from collection cans set out for a terminally ill baby, a Logansport detective began an investigation that led to the arrest of the baby’s stepgrandmother.
In late June, Detective Ray Bean of the Logansport Police Department arrested 35-year-old Betty Conklin of Logansport on a class D felony charge of theft. Conklin is accused of stealing money intended to help pay funeral expenses for 3-month-old Kaylee Dawn Conklin, who suffers from rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata.
Physicians have told her parents that Kaylee is not likely to live past the age of 3.
Money had been raised in Logansport and Royal Center from collection cans at Centennial Wireless, Corner Cupboard, West Side Diner and Bonnell’s Grocery. Kaylee’s supporters also held two car washes at Pizza Hut. An account had been set up at Community State Bank in Royal Center, but money generated to help Kaylee’s family was reportedly not reaching its destination.
According to Bean, Conklin gathered donations from the cans and was responsible for depositing the money into the account. The investigator subpoenaed bank records and discovered a balance of $2.73. Bean found that $228.73 in donations was missing.
Bean accused Conklin of using the money for cigarettes and a car payment.
Conklin was released from the Cass County Jail on a bond of $1,000 cash/$5,000 surety.
Cass Superior Court I Judge Thomas Perrone appointed a public defender in the case. Betty Conklin is set to appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Aug. 14.