On November 16, 2025, authorities in Grant County, Indiana arrested 32-year-old Alanna Lin Brown, charging her with fraud and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury after investigators say she fabricated her toddler’s need for a feeding tube to receive tens of thousands of dollars in benefits.
According to newly filed court documents, Brown allegedly secured nearly $97,000 in medical-assistance funding over a 22-month span from LifeStream Services, a nonprofit that assists vulnerable individuals with health-related needs.
The case began in April, when Brown took her toddler to a hospital emergency room, insisting the child was “aspirating” while eating. Medical staff documented moderate malnutrition and placed the child on a feeding tube — a serious intervention that typically requires consistent clinical evidence.
However, investigators now say that shortly afterward, the child’s father — a preschool teacher — began voicing doubts. He told police the toddler had no known swallowing problems, and that Brown frequently prevented him from attending medical appointments.
He said that during a 10-day stretch in March when the child stayed with him, she ate normally, without any use of a feeding tube, and gained weight. A friend later corroborated this concern, telling investigators the toddler eagerly ate a McDonald’s meal in her presence.
Medical professionals involved in the toddler’s care also expressed concern. According to the affidavit, a physician reported that while under Brown’s supervision, the child continued to lose weight, despite the prescribed feeding regimen. When authorities removed the toddler from Brown’s custody in October, her weight began to improve.
Local suspicions reportedly grew by early summer. According to WKRC, community members had begun contacting local media in June to express alarm about the child’s condition and the inconsistencies surrounding her care.
Among the most troubling pieces of evidence, investigators say, is audio captured on Brown’s Ring doorbell system. On the recording, she allegedly complained about her financial situation, saying:
“Now I got to refigure my bills … because I’m not going to lose a f—– payment from her so she can eat.”
Prosecutors argue the recording reflects an intention to maintain control over benefits tied to the child’s supposed medical condition — even at the expense of the child’s well-being.
Brown was released on a $2,000 bond, and her next court hearing is scheduled for December 5. Officials from the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office have not yet commented publicly, while LifeStream Services confirmed they are cooperating fully with investigators.
The case highlights vulnerabilities within charitable and medical-support systems nationwide. Oversight of nonprofits like LifeStream Services varies widely by state. Many state attorneys general and secretaries of state have minimal staff dedicated to monitoring nonprofit compliance. At the federal level, nonprofit filings (such as IRS Form 990) are reviewed primarily for tax purposes, not for detailed program auditing, meaning misuse of funds can go undetected for long periods.
