CINCINNATI -- A mother is facing criminal charges after prosecutors said she pretended to be a doctor and exaggerated her child's medical condition, putting the boy in danger.
Monika Burgett is accused of repeatedly telling lies about her then-3-year-old son's condition, even creating a Gofundme page to get people to donate money. She had the boy's head and eyebrows shaved and took photos of him for the site, the Associated Press reported. The fundraiser brought in $40,000, according to an assistant prosecutor.
The prosecution called Dr. Alexandra Szabova to testify Wednesday. She prescriped the child medication at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center based on symptoms Burgett was describing, but later decided to wean him off the drug.
The defense argued Szabova was in the wrong by prescribing the drugs.
Svabova said the amount prescribed was not enough to hurt the child.
Burgett is charged with assault, endangering children and fraud.
The boy was removed from her custody last year, the Associated Press reported.
The trial is scheduled to continue Thursday.
