Mother pleads guilty after fake GoFundMe account

COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A Cobb County mom pleaded guilty to a number of charges after setting up a fake GoFundMe account.

Cobb County Assistant District Attorney David Williamson said Joannessa Clawson conned friends and strangers out of money and used her 3-year old daughter to do it.

Williamson said in March of 2015, Clawson convinced another woman to set up a GoFundMe account because her daughter was in the hospital with a life-threatening heart condition. The account asked for $3,000. People started donating.

Teachers at the little girl's school, Mountain View Elementary, became suspicious and contacted police. Police went to the family's home and found out the girl wasn't in the hospital and seemed perfectly healthy.

“The dad answered the door and said the girl was in the hospital, and that's when the girl comes running up to the front door,” said Williamson.

Clawson was charged with forgery, identity fraud and conspiracy to commit theft by deception. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years with one to serve. Her husband, James, was also charged. His case has not yet gone to court.

James Clawson told FOX 5 he did not know about the fake GoFundMe account until it was already posted. He said he wants to put the whole ordeal behind him and focus on his kids.

All the money collected through the GoFundMe account has been refunded to the donors.