Panhandlers Exploit Hillsborough Girl’s Image, Cause For Money, Says Family

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Parents of 5-year-old Adeline Eick, who was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder, are warning others about a scam that is falsely claiming they are raising funds for their 5-year-old's cause.

"It's irritating and so disheartening," said Ed Eick, Adeline's father to Patch.

On Friday, Adeline's parents Ed and Christine were alerted that three people were holding signs with Adeline's name and picture at the Burnt Mills Road/ Washington Valley Road intersection with Route 206 in Plukemin.

The people, described as two women and one man possibly Hispanic or Caucasian, were collecting cash under the false pretense of being associated with Adeline's GoFundMe fundraiser.

The Eick's immediately called the Bedminster Police to file a complaint about the incident.

Since Thursday, the same three people were seen in Somerset, Warren, Montgomery, Bridgewater, and Green Brook panhandling for cash using Adeline's photo and name, said Eick.

The Eick's reached out to Patch in hopes of warning others of this scam.

Eick said they don't want people to intervene if they see these three people but instead to call the police.

"Perhaps if they begin to realize that people are aware they'll move on. It does seem pretty organized because we hear that it was happening in a lot of places," said Eick.

Eick acknowledges that Adeline's story and image was posted in the public domain but he never thought that this would occur.

"Even though this B.S. is going on Adeline is going strong," said Eick. "We won't let these people bring us down."

Adeline's journey began at birth. She was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder called Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency Syndrome (CMMRD). Although her parents did not discover that she had it until she was diagnosed on March 17, 2021. Read More: Hillsborough 3-Year-Old Fighting Brain Cancer Needs Your Help

CMMRD is a condition that greatly increases Adeline's chance of developing tumors in childhood leading to brain cancer, cancers of the blood, endometrial cancers, gastrointestinal cancers, and more. Almost all people with CMMRD syndrome develop cancer, often multiple times, before age 18.

Overall, Adeline is doing well, said Eick.

• Related: Hillsborough 4-Year-Old With Genetic Cancer Celebrates Positive News

They did have a scare recently where a tumor or cyst was found in her bone and a biopsy was performed. As a result, she was in a wheelchair for a while.

Luckily, the results of the biopsy were negative and she is walking around and playing again.

The Eicks also recently welcomed their second child who is now 5 months old.

The Eicks have learned to focus on the positives in their lives and cherish the memories they are creating with Adeline and her younger sibling.

To learn more or to donate visit the GoFundMe fundraising website to help the Eick family with all of the medical expenses associated with Adeline.

You can also follow Adeline's journey at facebook.com/adelineprevails or adelineprevails.com.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.