A fundraising campaign created to support an injured mother in Durham Region is now under police investigation after she reported not receiving most of the money raised.
Maryanne Mullett, a mother of 10, was seriously hurt in a New Year’s Day crash near Beaverton while trying to help a stranded driver on a snowy road. As she retrieved equipment from her vehicle, another driver crashed into her truck, leaving her with significant injuries that required an airlift to hospital. She remains in recovery and unable to work, cutting off her main source of income from her Indigenous food business.
In the aftermath, a relative set up an online fundraiser that collected more than $19,000. However, Mullett says she has only received just over $6,000. She claims the organizer provided explanations that the remaining funds were spent on food and supplies for her children, but she disputes this and says no receipts or clear accounting have been provided.
After months without answers, she contacted police. Durham Regional Police confirmed the case is under investigation, with no charges laid so far.
The original fundraising page has since been taken down, and Mullett has launched a new one. She says speaking publicly is important both to clarify her situation and to caution others to ensure they are properly listed as beneficiaries when setting up online fundraisers.