Why has GoFundMe permanently banned Janie Santana? Rudy Farias’ mother raised several dollars after posting her son's alleged disappearance
HOUSTON, TEXAS: Janie Santana, the mother who falsely reported her son, Rudy Farias, missing for years has been permanently interdicted by GoFundMe. Janie raised thousands of dollars after she posted on the site about her son's alleged disappearance.
Farias was reported missing for eight years but the Texas Center for the Missing publicly revealed on July 3 that the now 25-year-old had been found alive the weekend prior. Janie expressed relief that her son was finally found after almost close to a decade even though Farias was found unconscious outside a Houston church with cuts and bruises across his body.
Why did GoFundMe ban Janie Santana?
As per the reports of Newsweek, Houston Public Media, and KPRC-TV, the mother has been permanently banned by the profit crowdfunding platform after she collected more than $2,000 in donations following her claims that her then 17-year-old son never returned home from a walk with his dogs on March 6, 2015. "GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing,” a spokesperson said. “The fundraiser has been removed from the platform and the beneficiary has been banned from using GoFundMe for any future fundraisers.”
Janie claimed that her son was unable to communicate with her following the discovery
“My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us,” reads a previous family statement shared with ABC 13. “We are asking for privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal."
Neighbors, however, claimed that they had often seen Farias in the community shortly after the news came to light. They said that they found it strange he had been reported missing. Just days later, Houston police said Farias was actually never missing and was living at home with his mother during the whole eight-year period when people thought that he vanished out of thin air. During a press conference, an HPD Lieutenant claimed that Farias returned home the following day after apparently vanishing.
Houston police allege Santana “continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that he was still missing.” A lieutenant also said claimed that it was found Farias had previous contact with HPD, but both he and his mother had allegedly given authorities false names and birth dates.
Farias is back with his mother by his choice
Authorities said at the press conference that the Texas man is now safe and back with his mother "by choice", while adding that there was no report of sexual abuse. However, Farias' aunt previously informed NBC News that he doesn't want to be in touch with his mother and is staying with a friend for the time being. The investigation is still ongoing and no arrests have been made.