A Florida woman has been arrested for allegedly impersonating the father of a child who died in the Camp Mystic flood tragedy, setting up fraudulent fundraisers to collect donations meant for the grieving family.
Maitlin Paige White, 28, from Crestview, Florida, was taken into custody by a U.S. Marshal’s task force in Okaloosa County on Texas charges of online impersonation. Authorities say White created a GoFundMe account on July 8, 2025, posing as Matthew Childress, whose daughter Chloe had died just four days earlier in the devastating Camp Mystic flood. The fake fundraiser collected approximately $1,500 before it was shut down.
Exploiting Tragedy for Profit
The scheme began to unravel when investigators contacted the real Matthew Childress, who confirmed he had never authorized anyone to create fundraisers using his personal information or his daughter’s image. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ozen condemned the alleged exploitation, stating, “It is inexcusable how she sought to prey on the emotions of our community and abused the family of Chloe Childress who have endured an unimaginable tragedy.”
How did White pull off such a brazen scam? According to court documents, she not only created a convincing online persona but also established multiple fraudulent campaigns impersonating the family. The affidavit reveals that White went to considerable lengths to make her fundraisers appear legitimate, using details about the tragedy that had been reported in the media.
White now faces felony online impersonation charges in Texas, with extradition proceedings already underway. She was formally charged on January 2 for her alleged role in the scam.
A Warning for Donors
This case highlights the dark side of online crowdfunding platforms, where the emotional pull of tragedy can be weaponized by scammers looking to capitalize on public generosity. GoFundMe has since removed the fraudulent campaigns and is reportedly working with authorities to return the money to donors.
“When people are at their most vulnerable, that’s when predators often strike,” said one investigator familiar with online fraud cases who requested anonymity. “The Camp Mystic flood was a heartbreaking event that touched many lives, and someone saw that as an opportunity.”
For those looking to donate to causes following disasters or tragedies, experts recommend verifying the legitimacy of fundraisers by contacting the organizers directly or donating through established charitable organizations with transparent financial practices.
The real Childress family continues to mourn their devastating loss while now dealing with the additional trauma of having their daughter’s memory exploited for financial gain.
