TOLEDO, Ohio — The arraignment and plea of Lisa Titkemeier has been pushed back until May 30 after attorneys said more investigation needed to be done in the case.
Titkemeier has been charged with a fourth-degree felony count of theft. State investigators said she lied about a cancer diagnosis for financial gain, receiving nearly $20,000 from the community during four separate benefits. Additionally, according to court documents, her family also received gift cards and meals.
The 38-year-old Toledo woman appeared in the courtroom of Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Lori Olender, alongside her attorney Neil McElroy. Her husband, Ryan, sat in the front row of the galley. After Olender announced that the case was continued, Titkemeier was handcuffed and became noticeably upset.
Before she was detained, her husband quickly left the courtroom and had no comment. Lisa Titkemeier also had no comment as she was placed in the elevator and taken to the jail. After being processed, she was released on her own recognizance.
Prosecutor Mike Loisel said the state and defense agreed on the continuance.
“There needs to be further investigation,” Loisel said. “There is more information that both parties want to put together and from the state’s perspective and her counsel’s; this is the best path forward.”
When he was asked if this could mean that there could be more charges in the case, he simply replied, "unknown."
The investigation has been led by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and has been going on since late 2022, when then-Toledo Police Chief George Kral asked agents to get involved.
In late February, 11 Investigates received a tip that state investigators were looking into allegations that Titkemeier had faked a non-Hodgkin’s follicular lymphoma diagnosis in order to generate sympathy and support from the community.
EARLIER COVERAGE: Toledo woman and her husband under investigation after alleged fake-cancer scam to solicit money
As she was led from the courtroom, Titkemeier glared for several seconds at an 11 Investigates reporter.
The Titkemeier family became one of the faces of efforts to raise money for the families of slain Toledo police officers Anthony Dia and Brandon Stalker. After Dia was killed on July 4, 2020, Titkemeier’s 7-year-old son started a lemonade stand and raised nearly $2,000 for the officer’s family.
But friends told 11 Investigates that during fund-raising efforts, Lisa began discussing her battle with lymphoma and that her and Ryan Titkemeier were struggling to pay medical bills. At that point, the community rallied around the family, raising $16,833.65 with four benefit events. The family also received gift cards and even house cleaning services.
The St. Francis High School community launched a meal train while Titkemeier said she was being treated for cancer. Between Sept. 8, 2021 and Dec. 17, 2021 supporters provided 44 meals or meal gift cards to the family. Ryan Titkemeier is an intervention specialist at the school.