Cassandra Smith - CONTRIBUTED

Patricia Grey, the caregiver of the now deceased Cassandra Smith is dispelling rumours that she is now $18 million richer following the passing of the child.

"I'm fretting for my life now, because people are saying that I have $18 million and that is not true. I can't even grieve in peace," Grey said. In October, THE STAR highlighted Cassandra's plight. The child was suffering from cirrhosis and needed an urgent liver transplant. The procedure would have cost a whopping $18 million, and the public was asked to assist in meeting that mark by making deposits to a bank account that was set up for the youngster.

Unfortunately, Cassandra passed away on October 30 at the University Hospital of the West Indies. She was taken to the hospital after collapsing at home, fracturing her skull, on the same day that the story was published.

Keeping funds

Since the girl's death, Grey said that allegations started flying wildly, stating that she had gathered the millions needed to save the child's life. However, seeing that Cassandra had died, she was now keeping the funds to herself.

"I don't want anyone to come and hurt me because of these rumours. I don't have any $18 million. Is just over $100,000 that was collected," she said. That money will now be used to offset some of the funeral costs.

Kimberly Seymour, a community development officer with the Social Development Commission (SDC), which had been assisting the youngster, confirmed that the donations collected for Cassandra was nowhere near the $18 million mark. In fact, while she was unable to give the exact figure, she corroborated Grey's story. "It was just over $100,000 that was collected," she said.

Seymour added that the agency had also heard of the rumours and wanted to notify the public that they are not true. She said that the agency has since provided relevant documents and statements to Information, Culture, Youth and Sports minister, Olivia Grange, under whose umbrella the SDC falls. Seymour said the minister was furnished with the documents to provide transparency in the matter and dispel all the gossip that was floating around.

The funeral for Cassandra Smith will be held on November 23, at the Faith Mennonite Church of God, 57 William Street, Spanish Town. The service will start at 2 p.m.