Ex-teacher who faked cancer ordered to apologize, pay back donations

Ex-teacher who faked cancer ordered to apologize, pay back donations

(Uintah County Jail)


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VERNAL — A former Vernal elementary school teacher who faked having cancer and accepted community donations has been ordered to apologize and pay the money back.

Christina Lundblad, who turns 32 this month, was sentenced in 8th District Court this week to pay back the $7,000 in restitution to known donors and $500 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on behalf of donors who couldn't be identified, according to court documents.

Lundblad was also ordered to write an apology letter to donors, as well as a community apology letter to be published in a Uinta Basin area newspaper by May 30. She must also complete 100 hours community service, a psychological evaluation and any prescribed medication regimens.

After successfully completing 36 months probation, Lundblad's conviction may be stepped down to a class B misdemeanor, court records state.

Lundblad pleaded guilty in January to a reduced charge of communications fraud, a third-degree felony, as part of a plea agreement. She was originally charged with a second-degree felony.

Police investigating claims that Lundblad did not have cancer — even after she accepted $7,000 raised at Vernal's annual Trees for Charity auction by the family of her Discovery Elementary School mentor — found no medical record of diagnosis or treatment, according to charges filed in September.

A woman who reported her concerns to police in April 2015 said Lundblad claimed she had undergone surgery to remove cancerous tumors from her legs but had no surgical scars. Lundblad later said she had decided not to go through with the surgery, the tipster told police.

After receiving the money, the woman told police Lundblad and her husband bought a van and took a Disney vacation.

Lundblad told police she never asked anyone to raise money on her behalf but acknowledged that she accepted the money when it was presented to her.

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McKenzie Romero

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