Documents: Woman charged with stealing money raised for child's funeral

A 33-year-old Sioux Falls woman was indicted last week after she stole thousands from an online fundraising account created to pay for a friend's daughter's funeral.

Stephanie Lea Blaine was charged with grand theft, a felony, and could face five years in prison if convicted, according to court documents.

According to affidavit in support of her arrest:

Blaine raised $3,905 through the account and told the child’s mother that she had made withdrawals from the account to assist with funeral costs.

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The child’s mother said she never received any payments from either Blaine or from gofundme.com. She also checked with the funeral home and hospital where her daughter was treated and neither had received any form of payment.

The woman delayed her daughter's funeral because she was counting on the money.

The child’s mother reported the issue to gofundme.com. Officials from the group later informed her that Blaine had made nine withdrawals from the account totaling $3,583.36. The account was frozen on the same day.

The website reimbursed the child’s mother the funds that were withdrawn by Blaine. 

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