Adelaide couple charged for allegedly falsely claiming child was undergoing cancer treatment to claim donations

A couple from Adelaide has been arrested for allegedly falsely claiming their child had cancer - to claim tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

Police say the man and woman shaved their six-year-old boy's head and eyebrows, put him in a wheelchair and applied bandages to make it look like he had received radiotherapy.

It is alleged they sought donations for medical treatment and approximately $60,000 had been donated during a two-week period.

Acting Assistant Commissioner John De Candia said the investigation has confirmed that the boy is not receiving medical treatment.

"We believe that this farce illness is causing serious and significant psychological harm to the child and their sibling".

The man and woman - who are both 44 years old - have been charged with criminal neglect and deception offences.

The children have been taken into the care of another relative.

'Abhorrent and cruel'

Police say they began investigating the "abhorrent" and "cruel" allegations just over a fortnight ago.

"The accused shaved their six-year-old child's head, eyebrows, placed him in a wheelchair with bandages on his head in order to imitate stereotactic radiotherapy treatment," Acting Assistant Commissioner De Candia said.

"I couldn't think of a more devious or cruel scheme that the parents have done to their child."

Investigations revealed the couple was using the false diagnosis to raise medical funds through the school community and through an online GoFundMe page.

"They've raised about $60,000 in a relatively short period of time," Acting Assistant Commissioner De Candia said.

"It's abhorrent that people would seek to profit from their own personal greed and selfishness from such an insidious condition such as cancer which impact so many families."

Acting Assistant Commissioner De Candia said it was an 'extremely traumatic' incident for the wider community to comprehend.

"It takes away from those in genuine need … it's disgusting that these types of cases may have an impact on people that genuinely need that assistance."

Anyone who donated to the family or has any information is urged to contact police.

The parents have been refused bail and are expected to face the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today.

- ABC