JACKSONVILLE (ActionNewsJax.com) -- She claimed to be dying of end-stage cancer. She told some people it was breast cancer, others that it was lymphoma. But police say no matter what version of her story Mary Ann McCall was telling people--she was lying.
"You know what? She got me. My family can't believe it. I can't believe it," said one woman we spoke with--we'll call her Dawn.
She is one of at least a dozen victims across Clay County to fall for this alleged cancer con. Clay County investigators say McCall is believed to have taken close to $100,000 from local families.
"For the longest time, I thought I was a one time shot," said a man we spoke with named Todd. "I was one victim. I did not realize it had spread to the insanity that it is today."
Of the five victims who sat down with Action News, Todd claims to have lost the most to Mary Ann McCall's schemes. He estimates he gave Mary Ann between $50,000 and $75,000. But thanks to people like Todd and Dawn--McCall won't be running scams any time soon.
She sitting in jail tonight--the end result of a 3-month investigation at the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Clay County Sheriff's Office: How they tracked her
"This particular one was a freight train," said Colonel Craig Aldrich. "We were very shocked to ultimately determine it was all a ruse."
Speaking exclusively with Action News, Colonel Aldrich explains how far his deputies and detectives went to catch this alleged con artist.
"We did, in fact, put an undercover officer in contact with her and they did in fact have some dialogue. That dialogue is definitely a key part of this case."
Through our sources, Action News was able to learn--and confirm with police that an investigator went undercover at Fleming Island High School. Mary Ann McCall's son was attending school there. Through him, police say Mary Ann started sharing her story of being a dying single mom with teachers, parents, and students.
A story Action News was able to corroborate on McCall's Facebook page, where she posted, "I was told I had breast cancer in my early 30's. I felt like I'd been given a death card."
But detectives say despite Mary Ann's sad stories--none of them were true.
"The medical records we have in our possession do not indicate that she has ever had either breast cancer or non-Hodgkins lymphoma."
Police: she used her son
Stories at school were not the first time Mary Ann would allegedly use her child for her cancer scheme. Action News also exclusively uncovered a fundraising page Mary Ann established in her son's name.
On the page, it says: "I am a 14-year-old boy who's mom has stage 4 cancer. She is a single mom and all I have. I want to help her not worry anymore. Please help."
Her son's middle school teachers did help--reaching into their own pockets to help. A principal calling their fundraising efforts in 2011 for McCall a "Christmas Miracle."
That principal also offered to pay McCall's car payment for two months.
Action News has also learned Mary Ann lied about her son's health, too. At one point, she told some of her friends her son needed a blood tranfusion to live.
We're told her son learned of her lies on Friday when Mary Ann was picked up for questioning and we're told she confessed to investigators.
"Her son was, in fact, oblivious to the whole ordeal," said Colonel Aldrich. "That puts a lot of mental anguish on the individual."
As this case stands now, more than a dozen victims have been identified. Police estimate Mary Ann McCall took $100,000 and they expect to uncover more victims and more money.
"What she was doing was wrong, she's going to be dealt with," said Colonel Aldrich. "We hope it doesnt dissuade members of the community from being generous."
Clay County Detectives have reason to believe there are more victims out there. If you believe you've been scammed by Mary Ann McCall--please call this number: (904) 264-6512.
