Girl used in Albany scam identified - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Girl used in Albany scam identified

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By Jim Wallace - bio | email

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By Jim Wallace - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) –More details  on that little girl used to cheat an Albany man in a paternity scam. Investigators have filed charged in the case.

The girl's name is Harmene, a five year old from Moultrie.

Her family was shocked to find out she was used in the scam.

38-year old Regina Thompson is Harmene's god mother.

She is now charged with five counts of theft by deception.

Thompson used to babysit the child.

Investigators say Thompson told Joseph Golden of Albany he was the child's father and cheated him out of  $1600 over three years.

The child's real mother, Lastraga McCloud of Moultrie, had no clue about the scam until Tuesday night when we showed these pictures to help investigators find her.

Dougherty County Sheriff's Office Captain Craid Dodd said  the mother was "Pretty much aghast. She said the child's actual father called him and said what is going on. Kind of thing. She didn't know."

Investigators say the scheme came to light when the child was three and started to talk more.

Thompson then refused to let Golden see the girl anymore.

Golden took her to court for visitation rights.

That's when the scam was discovered.

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