I-Team: Cops: Nurse Fakes Her Cancer

by Randy Travis Aired 1/20/16 CUMMING, Ga. - People all over North Georgia offered up their prayers, their love and their money for a Cumming woman who told everyone she had Stage IV ovarian cancer. Authorities said it was all a lie. Forsyth County sheriff's detectives charged 29-year-old Mary Bennett with theft and forgery. The shocker: they said she never had cancer. Her defense attorney had no comment. For years, though, Bennett's social media posts went on and on about her bucket list, fun things she wanted to do before her supposed terminal illness won out. Detectives say the licensed practical nurse spent years collecting at least $25,000 in cash and free stuff until someone started asking questions. Free stuff, like skydiving. "Anything you want to say to the people on the ground or anywhere else before we go?" yelled the instructor to a beaming Mary Bennett as she prepared to jump. "Um, another check off the bucket list!" she yelled back, the entire experience captured in a souvenir DVD. Another day Mary Bennett decided to live like she was dying. She had quite a bucket list. A free trip to New Orleans. A free Hot Air Balloon ride. A free weekend at Treasure Bay in Biloxi. A free fishing trip in the Gulf. A free ride on the Skyview over Centennial Park. A free hunting trip with celebrity hunter Haley Heath. Free Braves tickets... including a signed card from Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Andrelton Simmons and manager Fredi Gonzalez saying Mary was "in our thoughts and prayers." "What do you predict this community's going to think when they find out the truth?" FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis asked Forsyth County Sheriff's Department detective Jeffrey Roe. "I think a lot of people are going to be shocked."