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HARRISVILLE, Weber County — Harrisville police identified a woman on Wednesday who they said was soliciting donations for a child's surgical procedure, but the child's family didn't authorize the fundraising.
Police are asking people who may have given money to the woman to call officers and file a report with them.
The department was alerted by the child's mother Friday, according to Harrisville Police Chief Max Jackson.
"She made it clear that she had not contacted nor had she authorized anyone to perform that service for her," Jackson said.
The Harrisville Police Department posted an image of the woman in a Facebook post Monday seeking an identification after she was caught on video surveillance asking for donations from residents and businesses on behalf of a child who had a heart transplant.
Police received an identification through tipsters within 45 minutes, Jackson said. He said Melissa White was contacted by police and interviewed Wednesday morning, but hasn't been arrested or charged as police continue to investigate.
Jackson added detectives believe White also solicited money in Davis and Salt Lake counties.
"I do believe the family had a GoFundMe operation going on (at some point) and I think Ms. White saw that, took advantage of the situation, and we're going to follow it as far as it takes us," he said.
The department urged anyone who gave White money to contact police at 801-629-8221 or by email at police@cityofharrisville.com.
Contributing: Nick Wyatt, KSL Newsradio
