GoFundMe shuts down accused child abuser's page
A popular fundraiser website has shut down the page soliciting donations for a Fort Collins mother now charged in connection to the death of her 11-month-old daughter earlier this month.
Alexa Coria's friend started a GoFundMe page after her boyfriend, 24-year-old Juan Canales-Hernandez, allegedly struck the baby with a chair when he got "frustrated" Sept. 7. The child suffered serious injuries and died two days later. The page at the time said donations would help cover funeral expenses for RaeLynn Coria Martinez.
Then the drama started.
A second fundraiser was created about that same time on behalf of the child's biological father. The two pages competed for space on social media in the days that followed, sparking outrage among some who demanded swift charges against 22-year-old Coria rather than donations.
Funds trickled in prior to her Thursday arrest.
Fort Collins police said Coria lied about how the child was injured in an attempt to keep her boyfriend — who was on parole for a previous child abuse conviction — from returning to prison. She was charged with felony child abuse, accessory to a crime and attempting to influence a public servant.
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She posted her $10,000 bond on Friday, the same day a letter to her came announcing the termination of the fundraiser page.
That sparked controversy.
Some alleged Coria used the donated money to post her bond from the Larimer County Jail rather than pay for funeral expenses — a claim that has since been debunked.
“A campaign is removed if it violates GoFundMe’s terms of service. In this case, it was removed for raising money for the defense or support of anyone alleged to be involved in criminal activity," the organization told the Coloradoan Wednesday, referencing its terms of service.
Forty donors contributed $1,320 to the campaign, GoFundMe confirmed. Each has been refunded — none of the money was withdrawn from the account before customer service representatives sent the termination letter Friday afternoon.
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Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of GoFundMe accounts are shut down due to fraudulent activity, the group said.
Coria is out on bond and is next due in court Friday morning. Canales-Hernandez, charged with first-degree murder among other felonies, is being held without bond and is next due in court for a status conference Oct. 21.
Reporter Jason Pohl covers public safety for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter: @pohl_jason.