Woman Charged With Stealing Donation Jar Gets Out Of Jail

Julie Cothran turned herself in Thursday afternoon and confessed to stealing a donation jar at a Boiling Springs gas station, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff.

She bonded out of jail just after 10 p.m. on a $5,000 bond.

Sheriff Wright said Cothran stole about $20 from the jar, which was being used to collect money for a child undergoing cancer treatment.

“It wasn’t worth being public enemy number one for a while,” Wright said.

Wright said she turned herself in at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday.

As she left the sheriff's office and headed for the detention center, Cothran told News Channel 7's Graeme Moore that she didn't know what the jar was for. When asked if she had anything to say to the family, Cothran said, "I've already written a letter."

Cothran is charged with an enhanced degree of petit larceny, which means she's got two previous property crimes convictions. As such, this latest petit larceny charge could carry up to ten years in prison.

Deputies said they received numerous tips in the case after the jar was stolen from the Carlisle Crossing convenience store in Boiling Springs on Parris Bridge Road.

Surveillance video showed a woman on Monday stealing the jar from the Carlisle Crossing convenience store in Boiling Springs.

The jar had been placed there to help raise money for the family of 19-month-old Bree Haga, who has been fighting a brain tumor for seven months.

"It's just unimaginable to think someone would steal from a baby with cancer," said Jennifer Reeves, who keeps in daily touch with Haga's mother.

Haga is at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, where she recently began her sixth round of chemotherapy.

News Channel 7 spoke with Bree's grandmother from the Memphis hospital.

"Anyone that could steal a jar with any baby's picture on it who's fighting for her life -- thats very sad," said Susan Guy.

She says the family would not have been able to survive without those donations the community has already made and continues to make.

Guy, Bree's mother and Bree's sister all moved to Memphis from Boiling Springs after the diagnosis, to be by Bree's bedside.

Anyone who wants to donate money to help the Haga family can contact Jennifer Reeves at 864-978-4346. However, the family, according to St. Jude's, does not have to pay for any medical treatment, lodging or travel while at the hospital.

"St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay," said Angela Richmond, the director of fundraising arm of St. Jude's.

However, the Haga family has other expenses such as rent and bills back in Spartanburg, and they've been unable to work since Bree was admitted in July 2010.

Since the story was reported Tuesday, Reeves says they have received about $600 in donations.

There is also an event scheduled Saturday where a woman has pledged $2,500 and is hoping others match the donation.

The following update was posted on a Web site about Bree’s treatment and current condition this morning:

"Hey everyone, I am updating from my phone in Bree's hospital room. My phone doesn't have good signal in here so I hope this goes through. Bree began her 6th round of intensive IV chemotherapy's last night. She received 2 types yesterday and was up all night!! She finally was able to fall asleep around 5:45 this morning but woke up vomiting and shaking 2 hours later:( I was able to get her back to sleep and I am watching her sleep now as I type this. She feels terrible so please pray that she feels better soon! She has to get 2 more types of chemo tonight:( As you can imagine I'm very worried and wish that I could take this horrible nasty cancer from her. God knows I would if I could! Gramma and Zay is coming soon to visit and I know that will make Bree happy. She misses them so much when we are inpatient. We are watching and monitoring her close. Her blood pressure was high early this morning thank goodness her BP meds have brought it back down. I will try to update when I can.

As some of you know a woman stole Bree's jar from our hometown store. I ask that you please pray for this woman bc to do something so horrible to any child probably means this woman is lost. I'm leaving the judging to God but I do hope her identity is revealed and that she never does this to anyone else. I'm mostly hurt by this and disgusted that anyone would do something so low. On the other hand, I want to focus on all of you and others who have been so supportive through Bree's journey. Your prayers, thoughts, and support have meant the world to us and I can't imagine going through this without yall. I can't wait until the day I can hopefully share with Bree all of the love everyone has shown and the lives she has touched and continues to still do. I know she will be humbled and feel blessed just as we do. She is an amazing baby girl and one of my heroes! (Along with her awesome big sis) Thank you guys so much and hopefully next time I update Bree will be feeling much better! Love you all and God Bless!!

Kris

The Girls Club"