JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A group of people have been spotted at various busy intersections holding signs that claim they're raising money for a young girl's cancer treatment, but many on social media have been wondering if that's really where their hard-earned cash is going?
The signs read, "DONATION AMELIA NEED SURGERY CANCER."
After doing a reverse image search of the photo, a few articles popped up about Amelia Cara. Her father, Alexandru Cara, was quoted. From there, WWL Louisiana Reporter Lily Cummings tracked the family down on social media.
The family did a Zoom interview with Cummings thousands of miles away in Moldova.
“A lot of people know Amelia’s case," Cara said.
The family said they were using fundraising and social media platforms to share Amelia's story during treatment.
“We didn’t have the money. It was about 350,000 Euro," Cara said.
Amelia's father said she was diagnosed with leukemia at 2-years-old and completed the necessary treatment in December. She will still have checkups in the months and years to come, Cara said.
Cara said they don't know the people fundraising using Amelia's photo in our area, and they haven't seen a dime of the money.
“Do you think these people really were fundraising for you or taking the money for themselves?” Cummings asked Cara.
“For themselves, of course. We didn’t receive any message from these people," Cara said.
JPSO told WWL Louisiana calls about the panhandlers have 'ramped up' in the last two weeks. The department is investigating whether or not the group has broken any laws and if they have the authority to enforce anything.
Panhandling is not illegal in Jefferson Parish, JPSO confirmed.
However, parish officials have installed signs directing people to donate to charities rather than hand over cash on the road.
Similar signs have been spotted across the U.S. Cara said a photo of someone holding a sign with Amelia on it was sent to him from Houston.
Last year in Baton Rouge, WBRZ reported that another child was seen on a similar poster.
Also in 2022, similar signs for a 'Sofia' popped up in Florida. Spokesperson for the Jacksonville FBI, Amanda Videll, told our sister station, First Coast News, that you should always ask questions about who you're donating to.
“So give where you want to give, but if you want to make sure that your money is going to somebody that really needs the help, then look at those reputable charitable organizations and their track records and make sure that you’re giving to groups that are actually using your money in positive ways for the community," Videll said.
WWL Louisiana couldn't confirm who the other children were on the signs.
Cara said he wants the group to stop using his daughter's photos.
“It’s ridiculous," Cara said.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
RELATED: Final goodbyes for Dooky Chase III