Ball State student who faked cancer has mental problems, lawyer says

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The attorney for a former college student charged with faking cancer to raise money for treatment says the woman has "significant psychological problems."\nBrookelyn Walters, 24, of Culver pleaded innocent Monday to theft and forgery charges in what prosecutors said was a scam she pulled off while attending Ball State.\nDefense attorney Jay Hirschauer of Logansport said she did not intend to hurt others.\n"Brooke has some significant psychological problems that go back to the death of her father when she was 11 years old," Hirschauer said.\n"She wants attention. I can't explain it. I'm not a psychologist, but it wasn't done simply to make a buck," he said.\nA trial in Delaware Circuit Court was scheduled for Feb. 12. She could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the charges.\nShe was booked into the Delaware County jail, but was released after posting a $40,000 bond.\nHirschauer said that while posing as a cancer patient, Walters "starved herself nearly to death." He also said had no previous criminal record, cooperated with police investigators and paid restitution when asked.\nThe woman's mother, Regina Schmidt, said Walters had been undergoing counseling for several months.