Serious Accusations

Sara Talbert reports

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This flyer promoted an Aug. 16 benefit for Trista Lathern's "cancer."

WACO — A Texas woman lied about having breast cancer and spent $10,000 raised at a benefit to have her breasts enlarged, authorities said.

McLennan County sheriff's investigator James Pack said in court records obtained by the Waco Tribune-Herald that 24-year-old Trista Joy Lathern shaved her head to look like a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy. She was arrested Nov. 4 and is charged with theft by deception.

Pack said Lathern, formerly of Robinson, wanted breast implants to try to save her seven-month marriage. Her husband, William Lathern, filed for an annulment the day she was arrested.

Robinson, near Waco, is about 100 miles south of Dallas.

Sheriff's officials and Trista Lathern's attorney didn't immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press on Friday.

The annulment petition says that William Lathern was unaware his wife didn't have cancer when they married April 18 or when a benefit was held at a restaurant/bar in August. He is seeking custody of their two boys, ages 5 and 3.

Trista Lathern's co-workers at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service gave up vacation time to Lathern because they thought she needed the time off while undergoing chemotherapy, said Judd Anstey, an exchange service spokesman in Dallas.

Phyllis Hubbard, spokeswoman for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Waco, said she hoped the case would make donors more aware.

"Maybe this incident will be a red flag so they will do a little more investigating to see where their money and support are going to," Hubbard said.