HALL COUNTY, Ga. — A 34-year-old Lula woman has been accused of faking her 5-year-old son's illness and receiving his disability checks.
According to the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Teresa Lynne Roth subjected him to unnecessary medical treatments and medications between January 2016 and October 2018.
Authorities got word of the case last October when Children's Healthcare of Atlanta contacted the Hall County Department of Family and Children's Services.
While under his parents' care, the boy was on a number of different medications, forced to use a wheelchair and to use a feeding tube. In addition, the parents drew disability benefits on the boy's behalf.
DFACS removed the boy from Roth's custody and referred her actions to the sheriff's office, prompting their criminal investigation. Since that point, the boy is doing well and no longer on medical intervention.
Investigators said they obtained an arrest warrant for Roth on Thursday, Feb. 21, charging her with first-degree child cruelty.
Roth was arrested and booked without incident. She remains in the Hall County Jail without bond.
The case remains under investigation and additional arrests may be forthcoming.