Claremore police department has identified the woman who is accused of attempting to steal money on behalf of the Blue Star Mothers of Rogers County.
On Wednesday, Blue Star Mom and co-founder of the Rogers County chapter, Martha Joslin, opened an email from a Rogers County business that asked her if the Blue Star Mothers were asking for donations for the Claremore fallen soldier, Jon Townsend’s family.
Towsend, 19, was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday. He was a part of the United States Army Infantry.
Joslin was angry to learn a woman was reportedly asking around to local businesses if they would donate on behalf of the Blue Star Mothers.
“I am livid,” said Joslin.
The president of the Rogers County Blue Star Mothers, Wanda Inman, wanted to spread the word immediately. She and Joslin posted an alert on the organization’s Facebook Page.
Just an alert, Someone in Claremore is going around asking for money in the name of Blue Star Mothers for the Townsend family. It is not someone that we know, she has one of our cards and is using that to solicit money from businesses. Please call Claremore Police or Rogers County Sheriffs Dept if this person comes up to you or your business. A Blue Star Mother will have a membership card.
“To go around and use a name that you have no business using because you don't know the integrity of the Blue Star mothers, it really upsets us,” said Inman. “We were angry that someone would use such a horrible thing to go around and solicit money.”
FOX23 news spoke with the Claremore Police Department prior to officers identifying the woman.
“To use this situation and this young man's family’s grief to obtain money is the lowest thing you can possibly do. That's a terrible act,” said Captain Milburn Litterell.
“It's so tragic that you would use something so horrible for a family to even have to go through that,” said Inman.
The police are waiting to see if they can press criminal charges because they have not confirmed the woman they identified has collected any money on behalf of the Blue Star Moms of Rogers County.
To stay updated with the Rogers County Blue Star Mothers “like” its Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ROGERS-COUNTY-BLUE-STAR-MOTHERS-CHPT20-CLAREMOREOKLA/284079897491
