01/08/2026
Chesterton Woman Charged In Alleged GoFundMe Theft Case
Kelly A. Larson, of Chesterton, has been charged following an investigation into a GoFundMe account that was created after a co-worker was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in October of 2024.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the GoFundMe account was created in the injured individual’s name following the crash. The campaign reached $5,417 in donations.
The reporting individual stated that when they later asked Larson for information to retrieve the money, Larson advised that no beneficiary had been set up on the account and that the money had been returned to donors. The reporting individual later contacted GoFundMe and received documentation indicating that all of the funds had been withdrawn, and that neither the reporting individual nor the original donors received the money.
The affidavit states the two individuals had known each other since 2019 and worked together for an ambulance service. After the crash, Larson allegedly created the GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for medical bills. About a month later, Larson allegedly sent account and passcode information through Snapchat, but the message containing that information later disappeared.
Investigators reported that in early March 2025, the reporting individual contacted Larson multiple times requesting access to the account. Larson allegedly stated that GoFundMe informed her the funds were returned because no bank account had been linked to the campaign. The reporting individual later stated that multiple donors advised their money had not been returned.
Records obtained from GoFundMe showed the campaign was created on October 26, 2024, and that $5,417.47 was available after processing fees. According to those records, Kelly Larson was identified as the individual who withdrew the funds, which were withdrawn on February 21, 2025, and the campaign was later deactivated.
Larson allegedly told investigators that she started the GoFundMe account to help with medical bills and stated she never withdrew any money from the account, maintaining that, as far as she knew, all of the money was returned to donors because the intended recipient never logged into or accessed the account.
Charge filed December 15,2025:
• Theft where value of property is between $750 and $50,000 — Level 6 Felony
