Woman charged for making up story about Christmas break in: Global Okanagan
PENTICTON – A woman whose story of a lost Christmas captured people’s charity and goodwill last Christmas faces a day in court after being accused of falsely reporting the crime.
Global News reported yesterday police received a tip shortly after the Dec. 22, 2014 break-in report that led them to believe Jackie Ann Hooper may have lied about having her home broken into and the family’s presents stolen.
Court documents confirm Hooper is scheduled to make a court appearance on May 27 for falsely reporting an offence.
Hooper is a single mother with a teenage son suffering from a spinal birth defect. When the story broke last Christmas of her house being burglarized while she and her son were shopping, residents and local businesses came to the rescue with donations, gifts, and food.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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17 responses
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I have known this lady from the past she is not a good person. Funny thing was when the original story aired I said it was a scam. She ripped me off for $200.00 about 8 years ago. My X used to live a few doors down from her and they ” were ” friends till she accused my X of breaking into here place and stealing her laptop. She called the police on her as well. Before all this I was asked by my X if I could ” LEND ” her 200.00 to help her get a puppy for her son. Which if my old memory servers me correctly the dog was removed from the home because it was not being feed or treated very well.Never saw the 200.00 again. Of course I asked for it and was told by her that I would get it in a couple weeks. Every time I went to get my money back there was always an excuse. This lady is in need of help but I don’t think it’s financial help she needs. I’m also pretty sure I wasnt the only person she ripped off on purpose. Sorry to see people like this ruin it for other people who really do need the help.
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IF she is guilty then yes she should have to do community service.Using a child as your excuse to lie is terrible.I know I was terribly broke before Christmas waiting for disability to be approved and a gofund page was set up, some donated, at least it helped a little but I certainly did not lie to get help.I did go to welfare and I did have to pay them back which I did when my disability came through.I was lucky that some friends and family did send me money directly to help, I also paid most of them back, some refused to take the money.Being poor is hard, especially if you have not experienced it before.It is very hard to ask for help, you feel like a loser, like no one cares and you also do not want to bother people with your problems.Never dreamed I would have to use a food bank, but I had no choice so in return I donated time and still donate time when I am physically able.Guess pride is stronger than need for me, but to lie about why you need help is going a tad far.I remember giving a woman and her teen money a few years back.I then said, get in, I will drive you to the store and give you the money when I drop you off.I then went and parked and watched, they just went into the main entrance and when they thought I was gone they immediately left.A few months later I saw them again standing by my bank late at night, she recognized me and took off running, guess she knew that I would recognize her as she never did call to pay me back when her so called help came to give her money.Lucky for me I could afford the $20 I gave her, I just shook my head and drove away.I now only give my time to help those less fortunate, never again will I give money.
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Jeezus people it said she ‘may’ have lied. What happened to being innocent until proven guilty? Maybe the person who gave the tip is lying for whatever reason. Wait until all the facts are there before you start calling someone a scumbag. I don’t know this woman but if she did lie and use her son like that, then yes what she did is despicable. BUT imagine how horrible you would feel knowing you are innocent and reading through these comments.. if what she says is true – she probably felt some embarrassment having to ask for help during that time and now it’s getting thrown in her face! All of you posting negative comments before knowing the FACTS should be ashamed. You are bullying and putting someone down for something that may not even be true.
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you falsely report any other crime you are charged.. why should this be any different.. it is not her fault if any one chose to help her.. they could have helped with out the false accusation of some one breaking into her home and taking up police time on a drummed up charge.. and possibly some one being falsely charged..
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I don’t agree with what she did but I believe it was a cry for help. when you have a handicapped child it is very hard on you both financially and emotionally.
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Ok, if it’s true, I agree, it sucks, but why does the son have to be brought into this?Infonews.ca should not have posted his picture in my opinion.
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It is very sad but if she gets away with it what is it teaching her children even if she gets community service it can not go unpunished I feel.
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THERE IS DIFFERENT WAYS TO FIND HELP , NOT BY LYING , UNFORTUNATELY IN DOING IT THIS WAY SHE TOOK AWAY FROM SOMEONE ELSE WHO ALSO MAY HAVE NEEDED HELP ONLY TO GAINTHINGS FOR HER SELF~~~~~ SAD!
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It shows one of two things.Either it shows just how desperate lower income families have become or it shows just how greedy people have become.
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