A Durham Regional Police investigation is ongoing after a GoFundMe beneficiary says she received only part of the money raised for her recovery after a crash.
A GoFundMe fundraising campaign meant to support a mother of 10 after a serious winter crash has come under scrutiny after the beneficiary said she did not receive most of the money raised.
The case centers on Maryanne Mullett, who was badly hurt after stopping to help a driver on snow-covered Regional Road 23 near Beaverton shortly after New Year’s Day. According to Mullett, she tried to assist quickly, but another vehicle struck her truck when she went to retrieve items from inside.
Durham Regional Police confirmed the matter is still under investigation and that no arrests have been made. The fundraiser was created soon after the crash, and Mullett says she asked from the beginning for the account to be set up in her or her mother’s name.
Mullett, who says she remains in recovery and dealing with major pain and rehabilitation, described how the injury has also disrupted her ability to provide for her family.. She runs an Indigenous food business and said many of her livelihood activities—including pow wows across Ontario—have been paused because her income has effectively stopped.. For someone responsible for 10 children, she said the gap between what was raised and what was received has direct consequences.
The fundraising page initially generated more than $19,000, but Mullett claims she has received only a little over $6,000.. She says she kept asking where the remaining funds went, and was told the money was used to purchase food and supplies for her children.. She also said the explanation does not align with what she experienced—she claims she personally e-transferred her own money to the family member and that gift cards were also provided for food separately from the GoFundMe donations.
A key point in Mullett’s account is her request for documentation.. She said she asked for receipts to show how the remaining funds were handled, but that information has not been provided.. In the months since, she says the money still has not been accounted for, leaving her to face ongoing hospital bills and living costs without the expected support.
Why beneficiary status matters more than the fundraiser itself
Cases like this can be especially unsettling because online giving is often assumed to work like a direct financial bridge: donate, and the recipient gets help.. But Mullett’s complaint draws attention to how fundraiser access and control can vary depending on who operates the account and who is listed as the beneficiary.
Even when people have good intentions, online fundraising can become messy if boundaries aren’t clear from the start.. Mullett’s message is blunt: she wants donors and organizers to confirm that the beneficiary is properly set up, because that determines who can be contacted, who can verify transactions, and how quickly issues can be addressed.
There is also a practical layer here—people donate with the expectation of timing.. Hospital recovery and day-to-day caregiving do not pause for paperwork.. When funds arrive late, partially, or not at all, the strain shifts from medical recovery to immediate survival needs, such as feeding children and meeting bills.
A new campaign, the same question
After the original GoFundMe page was deactivated, Mullett said friends encouraged her to create a new one. She described the moment she started speaking out as an attempt to correct the record, but also to prevent other families from facing similar confusion.
From a donor’s perspective, a new page can look like a request for “extra” support after they already gave.. Mullett said she understands that reaction but argues that the reason is straightforward: she says she did not receive all the money that was raised and therefore needs help to cover the costs that continue during recovery.
The police investigation means there are limits on what can be confirmed, and Mullett’s allegations remain part of an active process.. Still, the case is a reminder that online fundraising depends on trust, documentation, and clear account control—especially when the fundraiser is tied to injuries and income loss.
What comes next
For Mullett, the immediate future is focused on healing and maintaining support for her children, including those with special needs.. For anyone watching the story unfold, the bigger question is how quickly and transparently concerns can be resolved when money raised online does not match what a beneficiary says they received.
As the investigation continues, donors and community members are left to weigh one of the toughest realities of online giving: sympathy can move fast, but accountability requires systems that are clear, verifiable, and in the right names from day one.. Misryoum will continue monitoring developments in this case.