Ben Stephen Miller and Michelle Bodzsar appeared before magistrate Brian Nitschke at Adelaide Magistrates Court on March 18, 2025, as part of a shocking case drawing international attention. The couple is accused of perpetrated a grotesque cancer scam involving their six-year-old son, which allegedly involved shaving his head and eyebrows to fabricate symptoms of cancer treatment.
According to police, Miller and Bodzsar contrived the appearance of cancer by placing their child in a wheelchair with bandages, trying to convince sympathetic parents and businesses to donate funds. "Our investigation has confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment," police stated during the proceedings. They expressed concerns over the significant and serious psychological harm this alleged charade is inflicting on the child and their sibling.
The purported scam is reported to have taken place between November 18 and December 12, 2024. Prosecutors have charged the couple with grievous acts likely to cause harm and deception with intent to benefit financially. At the court hearing, the prosecutor revealed they have yet to finalize the charges. "The Director (of Public Prosecutions) has now deemed this matter to be a complex file," they informed the courtroom, adding, "An additional doctor’s report is required. That is due to be completed by the end of April."
Miller, sporting a goatee and dressed sharply, remained silent during the court proceedings. Bodzsar, who appeared via videolink from custody, offered no comments on the case. Their next hearing is scheduled for May 7, 2025, where it's expected the prosecution will finalize their case against the couple.
The stark allegations have already swindled approximately $60,000 from unsuspecting donors, raising outrage not just locally but globally, with reports surfacing from the Netherlands, Italy, and the United States. Bodzsar had previously shared on social media claims about their child having stage 1 eye cancer, detailing three tumors situated on and around the optic nerve. "I look at you with sadness in my eyes and heart," she wrote, adding, "It’s unbearable for daddy and mummy to see you go through this. Your blues no longer shine but there’s an emptiness in the world you have not been in long." This emotionally charged post attempted to elicit sympathy and compassion from their followers.
Due to the severe nature of the allegations and the impact on the children, the couple's two children have been removed from their custody. Authorities are taking these measures seriously, considering the psychological effects on the victims of this alleged scam.
This disturbing case highlights broader issues concerning scams involving vulnerable individuals, particularly children suffering from health crises. Vietnam’s healthcare professionals and community workers have been advocating for greater awareness and stringent measures against such deceptive acts. The case continues to draw attention to how far some individuals may go for money, reflecting the urgent need for safeguards against financial exploitation under the guise of compassion.
Although they are yet to plead, the courtroom anticipates the couple’s response to the charges on the next scheduled date. With the complexity of the case growing and the repercussions awaiting them, community sentiment remains largely against Miller and Bodzsar. This case serves as painful evidence of the potential for manipulation and deceit surrounding serious health crises.
