Switzerland County-On Friday, September 30th, Indiana State Police Detectives arrested Santana M. Banta, age 29, Patriot, Indiana on charges related to Banta faking an illness and soliciting donations to cover her medical bills.
The investigation began at the beginning of September when a concerned citizen contacted the Indiana State Police. The citizen made a complaint that Banta had made numerous claims on social media that she was suffering from terminal cancer. Banta claimed that she was being treated for her illness at James Graham Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Banta also started a GoFundMe Account to allegedly pay for her medical bills. The investigation determined she accepted in excess of $3,000 through that account. The detectives soon determined that Banta did not have cancer and was scamming people out of money and then using the money for personal reasons.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was turned over to the Switzerland County Prosecutor’s Office for review. A warrant was then issued for Banta’s arrest. She was arrested on Friday without incident on charges of Theft-level 6 felony and Deception-class A Misdemeanor. She was incarcerated at the Switzerland County Jail.
A mug photo of Banta may be obtained by contacting the Switzerland County Jail.
-30- SGT. STEPHEN WHEELES
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
