A woman who was arrested in 2021 after she told people she was dying of cancer and took thousands of dollars in donations will have to pay back people who she took advantage of at the time, and serve the next decade on probation.

Katie Lynn Shellhorse was jailed and released on bond in May 2021, and three years after being taken into custody for theft by deception she ultimately took a plea deal and responsibility for her actions in court this afternoon.

Tallapoosa Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Mark Murphy sentenced Shellhorse to 10 years probation and paying restitution of $5,000 to known victims, plus another $5,000 to the American Cancer Society – or another court-approved nonprofit organization to make good the victims who gave anonymously or couldn’t be found.

The District Attorney’s office had sought that Shellhorse spend at least a year in jail for the crimes she committed – a felony and an additional 31 misdemeanor counts – ultimately brought to a conclusion by Assistant District Attorney Alison Karch.

“She did an excellent job prosecuting this case,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Jaeson Smith said. “We’re extremely proud of her work on this case and bringing it to a conclusion.”

Shellhorse became involved with law enforcement after she claimed she had terminal cancer and took donations of at least $15,000 from local and area residents who sought to help her in a time of need. She went as far at the time to shave her head to keep up with her claim. Police became aware of the false claims and donations made to her around a month before her arrest when complaints were made to officers about the situation in 2021.

Court officials heard from both family members and a medical professional on Tuesday afternoon when the case was being decided in front of Murphy during a hearing, testifying on the defendant’s behalf as to Shellhorse’s mental health issues that impacted her behavior during the time she was claiming to be terminally ill and accepting the donations.

Smith added that despite Shellhorse’s actions, it shouldn’t deter anyone from being charitable. He does advise potential donors to use caution when deciding where best the money might be used.

“We just ask that this case not be a deterrent to those who generously give to others in need,” Smith said. “However, when giving online, just be careful and do your research. Our society relies on generosity of those able to give.”