UNION COUNTY, Miss. — A Union County, Mississippi, woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to make money of the death of Jessica Chambers.
Janet Posey, 39, of Blue Springs, was arrested by investigators with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
She reportedly set up a Facebook page and asked for donations. Jessica’s family had their own fundraiser, and warned police Posey was likely running a scam.
Posey is charged with one count attempted false pretense and one count communications fraud for allegedly setting up a scam to raise donations for the family of Jessica Lane Chambers.
Chambers was found burning along Highway 51 in Panola County December 6 and later died.
“Family members and friends of the family brought their concerns about the site to our attention,” Attorney General Hood said in a prepared statement. “Because we will be prosecuting the case, we cannot discuss any details of our case at this time. I would like to thank Sheriff Jimmy Edwards for his assistance in this arrest.”
Posey faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.
Those who know Posey say her family has been struggling for some time.
“They can barely make rent and he works for Toyota,” landlord Bonnie Gammel said. “From what I heard, her old daughter, I don’t believe they can manage their money right. She said, ‘My momma bankrupt me…us.'”
Sources tell WREG Posey ran similar fake fundraisers in the past.
We tracked Posey down so she could share her side of the story, but she declined an interview.