Waco woman accused of faking breast cancer for implants

[Pepperlynns]

WACO — A Texas woman lied about having breast cancer and spent $10,000 raised at a benefit to have her breasts enlarged, authorities said.

McLennan County sheriff’s investigator James Pack said in court records obtained by the Waco Tribune-Herald that 24-year-old Trista Joy Lathern shaved her head to look like a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. She was arrested Nov. 4 and is charged with theft by deception.

Pack said Lathern, formerly of Robinson, wanted breast implants to try to save her seven-month marriage. Her husband, William Lathern, filed for an annulment the day she was arrested.

Robinson, near Waco, is about 100 miles south of Dallas.

Sheriff’s officials and Trista Lathern’s attorney didn’t immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press on Friday.

The annulment petition says that William Lathern was unaware his wife didn’t have cancer when they married April 18 or when a benefit was held at a restaurant/bar in August. He is seeking custody of their two boys, ages 5 and 3.

Trista Lathern’s co-workers at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service gave up vacation time to Lathern because they thought she needed the time off while undergoing chemotherapy, said Judd Anstey, an exchange service spokesman in Dallas.

Phyllis Hubbard, spokeswoman for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Waco, said she hoped the case would make donors more aware.

“Maybe this incident will be a red flag so they will do a little more investigating to see where their money and support are going to,” Hubbard said.

[jrdnjstn00]

Yeah I heard about this on the radio a few days ago.

What a loser! She gets everthing coming to her

[sweetie00]

Now REAL cancer pts will be doubted. Sad. I think she should have to pay the money back to a cancer care center.

[PamR]

If I were her, I would be afraid of karma biting me back.

[eaglemama2]

a little dramatic to get implants, lol.   They don't cost $10,000 more along the lines of as low as $4500.   It's not hard to finance them either.   What a twit, seriously.  She should be careful what she wishes for.

[tericared]

Wow  so not fair to everyone involved...... 

[eaglemama2]

your'e right, it's not fair - it's rude and outrageous to deceive people this way.

Quoting tericared:

Wow  so not fair to everyone involved...... 

[USCGwife]

ugghhh..I heard abou this today!! that's so lame and sad that she would mock Breast cancer like that!!! I hope she pays!!! 

[Allebas]

Ya--I heard about this a few days ago and I was like--what the heck!!!!! I feel SO BAD for ALL the women who REALLY DO have breast cancer and seeing someone "USE" this disease for their own personal gain in something that has NOTHING to do with cancer!!! UGH!!! KARMA WILL get her!! I GUARANTEE IT!!!

This is sort of off topic, but I read a story about an Oncologist who REFUSED to give his patients pain medication!!! Can you BELIEVE THAT?? I mean patients who were in A LOT of PAIN!!! Well---Karma DID get him!! He ended up getting brain cancer, and his Oncologist REFUSED to give HIM pain medication!! YEP!! Karma is a REAL BI&CH!!!!

[myboyzluvme]

This disgusts me.  I think she should have to pay back every dime of the $.  It infuriates me that she would make a mockery out of this horrible disease and make those of us who truly need the help be questionable.    

Just alittle fyi:  I'm a breast cancer survivor who has had a bilateral tram flap procedure and 37 treatments of radiation.  The rads killed part of the flap on my bad side so I have an implant to get symmetry.  In the end,  great cosmetic results (had an awesome ps and gen surgeon), and cancer free as of 3 years now.