MARION, IN – Grant County law enforcement have charged a local woman with fraud and child neglect amid allegations she deliberately misrepresented her young daughter’s medical condition to obtain financial assistance from a nonprofit organization.
Alanna Lin Brown, 32, was arrested after an investigation revealed she received thousands of dollars by claiming her three-year-old daughter required a feeding tube. Law enforcement officials say Brown fabricated the need for the child’s medical device, which led to nearly two years’ worth of payments from a charitable group devoted to supporting vulnerable children and seniors with significant health challenges.
According to court filings, Brown first brought her daughter to an emergency room in April, insisting the child was unable to swallow food without aspirating and requested doctors provide a feeding tube. Medical professionals noted the girl showed moderate signs of malnutrition; however, the father of the child and individuals close to the family questioned the necessity of the device.
The girl’s father, who is employed in early childhood education, told investigators his daughter had no documented trouble eating and that Brown restricted his participation in her medical appointments. He reported that during a 10-day period when the girl was in his care without the feeding tube, she was able to eat regularly and even gained weight.
Further interviews with friends and acquaintances provided additional doubts regarding Brown’s claims. One friend relayed a story of the child eating without issue at a fast-food restaurant and suggested Brown’s intent was not rooted in concern for her daughter’s health. Investigators allege the mother’s actions were instead intended to preserve the funding she was receiving on the child’s behalf.
Over a span of 22 months, Brown allegedly accepted $96,688.44 from a local organization specializing in assistance for families managing medical hardships. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Brown commenting about the financial impact she would face if her daughter stopped requiring the tube, expressing concern over missed payments linked to her child’s status.
A physician involved in the child’s care voiced concerns to authorities, noting that the girl consistently lost weight under Brown’s supervision. After the child was removed from Brown’s custody in October, officials observed that her health and weight improved significantly.
Investigators believe Brown deliberately exaggerated and prolonged her daughter’s condition in order to retain support funds meant for the child’s medical needs. Brown is now facing charges of fraud and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury.
She was released on $2,000 bail after being booked into the Grant County Jail. Brown’s next hearing in the case is scheduled for December 5.