Dasha Kelly Admits Misleading CNN About Facing Eviction After Real Mother Comes Forward

CNN should have done more fact-checking, but doesn’t GoFundMe share some of the responsibility?

Many people have lost income and jobs due to the pandemic. Dasha Kelly was a card dealer in Las Vegas when businesses shut down due to the pandemic. Like many others, Kelly struggled to pay utilities and rent. She owed $1,900 for past due rent and was facing eviction.

Kelly set up a GoFundMe account to raise $2000 for past due rent. She entitled it saying, “Help My Girls and I avoid eviction.” She initially told CNN reporter, Nick Watts, that she had three daughters and they were facing eviction, which made her story more compelling. Her story went viral and people from all over the world made donations to her GoFundMe campaign.

CNN anchor, Erin Burnett, had a segment with Kelly on her show. She was sitting on the couch with her “girls”, ages 5, 6, and 8. Kelly’s campaign raised over $230,000. During her interview with Erin Burnett, she read some of the comments from people making donations. The GoFundMe account went from $89,000 to $97,000 in the few minutes of the interview. She was overcome with emotions, saying, “We are so grateful.” She also said she would “pay it forward” by donating some of the money to charity and supporting other families in need.

Several days after the interview, CNN was contacted by Shadia Halo, who identified herself as the girls’ real mother. Nick Watt reported, “Shadia Halo is their mother. We have seen the birth certificates. And now we know that Dasha Kelly is dating the girls’ father.”

Kelly was then forced to admit that she wasn’t the girls’ mother, but a babysitter. GoFundMe placed a hold on the funds while investigating the new information. A spokesman for GoFundMe said people who donated could get a refund. So far, approximately $67,000 has been refunded to people who made donations.

CNN followed up the story online, informing viewers of Kelly’s “misleading” CNN. Nick Watts reported, “Kelly clarified to CNN that she is not the mother of the three children featured in the story.” Kelly released a statement, “I’ve loved these girls unconditionally, and have been out of the kindness of my heart. I treat them as my daughters and care for them in this way.”

People raise money for all sorts of reasons. CNN should have done more investigating and fact-checking before putting her story on the air. It will give people pause before making donations on GoFundMe.

Wright, B. C. T. (2021, August 17). GoFundMe Refunds More than $67K in Donations Made to the ‘Mother’ Facing Eviction with Children. newsone.com.

Stanton, A. (2021, August 7). Desperate Mom Facing Eviction Raises Over $230K After Hoping for $2K From GoFundMe Plea