A “mother” from Las Vegas who tricked the public into believing she was facing eviction with her three girls raised more than $200K from concerned strangers, but she is actually just their babysitter.
Dasha Kelly’s fake story was picked up by CNN, who raised her up in the eyes of the public. Eventually, however, the 32-year-old admitted that she is not the children’s real mother, but was just taking care of them for her boyfriend.
The fraudster told CNN she wanted to “tell everybody thank you so much” after she realized how much cash had been raised for her “family”.
Kelly told the news station that in 2020 she lost her job as a casino employee as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, 32-year-old Dasha Kelly lost her job as a card dealer when the pandemic forced casinos to shut down. She is one of the more than 11 million Americans that are behind on their rent, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.https://t.co/aqOf8YBfmi
— CNN Heroes (@CNNHeroes) August 4, 2021
The “mother” reportedly started a GoFundMe to raise $1900 in order to pay her back rent she said she owned.
And within 24 hours, more than 2700 kind strangers raised more than $170,000.
Eventually, CNN reported that the three girls’ real mother came forward to complain about the situation.
https://twitter.com/iamstarbug79/status/1424626560850616325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1424626560850616325%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fiheartintelligence.com%2Ffake-mother-facing-eviction-with-three-kids-tricks-the-public-and-raises-200000%2F
Kelly said that the reason she described herself as their mother was that she sees herself as a parent to the children. However, Shadia Halo, the biological mother of all three girls was “understandably upset” by Kelly’s actions.
CNN has to answer for its botched reporting on Dasha Kelly, a Las Vegas “mom” who raised a boatload of cash after the network reported that she and her children would be homeless unless the COVID-19 eviction moratorium was extended, writes @BecketAdams. https://t.co/0YxaovI7YZ
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 11, 2021
Kelly even appeared on the news station along with Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush who told her she loved her and “will not stop working to make sure you and every person in our country has what they need to thrive”.
Kelly told the congresswoman:
“I’m just so fortunate right now, this is beyond me.
When I put that up, I never thought that anybody would have reached out, especially CNN, and to hear that a congressperson — my story reached you — this is just amazing.”
A GoFundMe topped $200K after a woman said she and her kids faced eviction. Then their real mom came forward. https://t.co/ZcGiAb4rkK
— Earle Kimel (@earlekimel) August 11, 2021
The fundraiser raised more than $200,000 and Kelly was since forced to clarify that she is not the children’s real mother.
A representative for GoFundMe told CNN that no money has been withdrawn and it will stay frozen until they can get a clearer picture of the situation.
For political commentator Matt Walsh’s in-depth report on the story, please see the video below.
