Scammers Set Up Fake Fund To Exploit Del City Murder

An Oklahoma City area family in mourning over a teenager&#39;s death said someone is trying to profit from their loss.<br />

Wednesday, April 2nd 2014, 10:53 pm

By: News 9


An Oklahoma City area family in mourning over a teenager's death said someone is trying to profit from their loss.

A fake fund has surfaced, claiming to be raising money to help pay for a 15-year-old murdered boy's funeral. The family said that fund is a scam.

Jaquelin Caldwell, 15, will be laid to rest Thursday at 11 a.m. at Community Lighthouse Church in Oklahoma City.

"To have someone do this at a time like this is really devastating, because you just don't do people like that," said Felicia Marzett, the victim's cousin.

4/1/2014 Related Story: Police: Del City Murder Suspect Was Possibly Under Influence Of PCP

Caldwell's family said someone has been exploiting his death for financial gain by falsely collecting donations on their behalf.

"I feel sorry for my family, but I feel sorry for the ones who donated because they had no clue," said Marzett.

Caldwell was shot and killed March 21 inside the Del City home he shared with his grandfather and sister. The family said someone set up a fake PayPal account to collect donations and got away with about $1000 before the family found out.

"It was devastating to us because people were actually donating to Jaquelin's funeral, to bury him," said Marzett.

3/29/2014 Related Story: Friends Honor Slain Del City Teen With Balloon Release

The grandfather, Lochinvar Caldwell, is in the Oklahoma County Jail accused of the murder. Jaquelin Caldwell's cousins said they visited Caldwell in jail before speaking with News 9 and said he has no clue what happened.

"It's just still a shock to us, because nobody expected this to happen because he's such a good guy," said Chiquita Thrower, another cousin of the victim.

The family said they opened a real fund to help the 17-year-old sister Jaquelin Caldwell left behind, Monalicia Caldwell. The cousins said she is an honor student who wants to go to college and be an attorney one day.

"I think her continuing on with her dreams will help her overcome some of the trauma that she's been through," said Karen Frederick, another cousin of the victim.

You can donate to the fund the family set up, the "Caldwell Support Trust Fund," at any Municipal Employees Credit Union location across the metro area.

3/22/2014 Related Story: Del City Grandfather Accused Of Killing Grandson

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