Woman accused of claiming child was terminally ill for money, Make-a-Wish trip faces new fraud charge

Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Corryn Brock, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · July 24, 2026 · 4 min read

FORT WAYNE, Ind. ( WPTA /Gray News) - A 42-year-old Indiana woman previously accused of claiming her child was terminally ill for money and a Make-A-Wish trip is facing a new, unrelated fraud charge. Katherine Jackson, who previously lived in Decatur, is charged with one count of fraud. The Grabi...

Why this matters in The Midland

This case has implications for Midland residents who may be considering donating to or working with local charities, particularly those that support children with terminal illnesses. The fact that an individual was allegedly able to deceive people into believing her child was terminally ill in order to receive financial benefits and a Make-A-Wish trip raises questions about the vetting processes of these organizations. As a community that values supporting those in need, it is crucial that we ensure our charitable efforts are going to legitimate causes. Midland residents should be aware of the potential for fraud and take steps to verify the authenticity of charitable organizations and their beneficiaries before donating. Furthermore, local law enforcement and charitable organizations should be vigilant in monitoring and investigating potential cases of fraud to prevent similar incidents from occurring in our community.

About this story

Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 24, 2026 · Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · Reading time: 4 min

Frequently asked about this story

What is this story about?

When was this published?

This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Corryn Brock at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

Where can I find related coverage?

See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs.

Summary created by	The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Corryn Brock, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 24, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 24, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Woman accused of claiming child was terminally ill for money, Make-a-Wish trip faces new fraud charge

More stories

Band teacher accused of sexually assaulting student for 3 years during private music lessons

Woman accused of claiming child was terminally ill for money, Make-a-Wish trip faces new fraud charge

Lone Star Conference holds 2026 Football Media Day

One displaced after Midland RV fire causes total losses

Lone Star Conference preseason polls reveal UTPB at fifth, Sul Ross at 10th

President Trump expands data center utility bill pledge

Man accused of hitting woman in face with metal tool over dog in store, police say

Deer overpopulation: How to keep them out of your yard

New Childcare Action Plan provides funds for local centers

Odessa police officers trade badges for aprons to benefit Special Olympics Texas

Fugitive wanted in Argentine model’s murder arrested in US

Odessa tap water smells like sewage, city says it is safe to drink

Get the briefing.