Ball St. "cancer" student turns herself in

From: WTHR, IN - Oct 27, 2003

Kris Schubach/Eyewitness News

Muncie, Oct. 27 - Her once-shaved head now covered in curls, Brookelyn Walters turned herself in at the Delaware County Courthouse Monday looking as healthy as any 24-year old.

Except, says her attorney, she's anything but healthy. Jay Hirschauer says, "Brooke has some psychological problems. She's getting counseling for this condition."

Prosecutors say that from 2000 to 2002 when she was a student at Ball State, Walters convinced people she was deaf and suffering from cancer. She forged letters from doctors, they say, and shaved her head.

On campus, students even held fundraisers.

Walters' attorney doesn't deny the allegations, but he does blame a series of emotional setbacks that began when she was much younger.

Those who fell for her story now feel betrayed and fear that those who really need the help will be the ones who suffer.

Her attorney says Walters paid back the special education money she got from Ball State, but he doesn't know what happened to the $1,000 raised for her by students.

She had no criminal history until now.

Walters goes to trial in February.

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