A 31-year-old Lincoln woman is facing charges after lying about having a fatal illness in order to collect nearly $12,000 in gifts from fellow church members.

Lincoln Police said April Nesslein was arrested on suspicion of felony theft after preying on other people’s sympathies for two months by claiming to have cancer and brain tumors.

Officer Katie Flood says Nebraska Health and Human Services officials contacted police last fall because they believed Nesslein might be improperly receiving benefits.

Flood says Nesslein received $11,888.39 in rent payments, new furniture, groceries, clothing and other household items.

Medical documents refuted the her cancer claims.