Cohasset Police issue warning about fundraising scams claiming to help Ana Walshe's children
COHASSET – Cohasset Police want people to be aware of any fundraising scams claiming to help the children of missing mother Ana Walshe.
Walshe, 39, was last seen in the early hours of January 1 after a New Year's Eve dinner with her husband and a friend at their Cohasset home.
Her husband Brian, 47, is being held on $500,000 bond on a charge of misleading investigators in the case. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday in Quincy District Court. Prosecutors said a bloody knife was found in the family's basement and Walshe purchased $450 in cleaning supplies after his wife's disappearance.
The couple has three young sons, ages 2, 4 and 6. They are currently in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
Friends of Ana Walshe say they're working with state social workers trying to keep the three boys together while their mother is missing and father behind bars.
They say Ana Walshe was an active member of a Newton-based organization for immigrants in America called the Sky International Center, now circulating a fund to raise money for the Walshe children.
"For the long-term care, probably they will need therapy and private schools or whatever the needs are will go to the three boys, and our community's responding quickly," organizer Natasha Sky said.
But Cohasset Police are sending out a warning.
"Cohasset Police has not been informed of, nor are we aware of any official fundraising accounts to support the children of Ana Walshe," Public Information Officer Justin Shrair said on Thursday.
The group shared a letter they say they sent to police.
"One hundred percent of the funds will be transferred to the future legal guardians of the children," it said. "We kindly ask that you recognize our organization as a legitimate organization as soon as possible and we invite you to check our credentials."
WBZ-TV found the group is registered with the I.R.S.
Anyone who sees potential scam fundraisers is encouraged to call local police or call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP.
"We just want to make sure folks are really aware," Shrair said. "We're asking the public to really do their research when donating to different causes. Folks can report possible fraud to their local police departments. They can also report it to the FTC."
Members of the Sky International Center said they have several families offering to take the boys in together, including a Sherborn family applying to adopt them.