Woman pleads guilty to theft charge for faking cancer, taking donations

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - A woman from Toledo, Ohio, has been convicted of faking cancer and taking donations for treatment.

Lisa Titkemeier, 38, was back in court on June 13 where she pleaded guilty to a theft charge.

A judge ordered Titkemeier to pay restitution of more than $25,000.

The sentencing range is six months to 18 months behind bars. She’s due back in court for sentencing on July 25.

Fundraiser flyers advertised cancer benefits for Titkemeier, with one in particular going back to 2021. It mentions Titkemeier being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

A search warrant filed in Lucas County Common Pleas Court helped the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation determine whether that was true.

“Mercy Health, Toledo Clinic, and ProMedica, all of the health providers advised that they did not have any records of Lisa ever being diagnosed with cancer, and was never treated for cancer during that period of time,” a page from the warrant stated.

Investigators talked to witnesses and acquaintances of the Titkemeiers.

“Lisa and Ryan told witnesses on numerous occasions that Lisa’s cancer had returned multiple times, and that Lisa and Ryan’s insurance would not cover the treatments,” the documents said.

The family started fundraising in the community after the death of Toledo police officers Anthony Dia and Brandon Stalker. The kids held lemonade and hot cocoa fundraisers to benefit those families.

Those morphed into fundraisers for Titkemeier’s alleged cancer, and many people were generous.

The search warrant talks about events, such as a fundraiser for $1,000. Another was organized for more than $5,000 from 70 individual donors.

Even women from Saint Francis DeSales started a meal train in support of the family.

Records show Titkemeier admitted she was not diagnosed with cancer or received treatment for cancer in April 2023, but said that there was something wrong with her medically. She told investigators they used the money to pay their bills.

Cosette Stalker, the mother of officer Brandon Stalker, who was killed in the line of duty in 2021, was in the courtroom as Titkemeier entered the room Thursday.

“I was just amazed. I told her how she was a good mother and how she raised her kids to do this, and I never imagined this would be something she did. Never,” said Stalker.

Stalker wasn’t thrilled with the sentencing range.

“I think she should get more time because it’s telling her that it’s OK and other people that it’s OK. And it’s not OK what she did,” said Stalker.

Titkemeier didn’t respond to questions after court.

Stalker did have a message for her though.

“I wish you would have thought about the things she taught her son not to do, not be and how dare you?” said Stalker.

As for the restitution, prosecutors said they have banking records that point out some people are expected to be repaid. Not everyone will be repaid, though, especially anyone who donated cash at any of her fundraisers.

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