On March 16, 2026, a family experienced an unimaginable tragedy when a devastating crash occurred on SR-238 involving a family of five. Two parents were pronounced deceased at the scene. Two children, ages 11 and 14, were airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, while the 13-year-old child was transported by EMS for emergency treatment. Tragically, only the 13-year-old and 14-year-old children survived the accident.

According to investigators with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the crash was believed to have been caused by the driver of the vehicle that day.

As the family struggled to process this heartbreaking loss, they were faced with an additional and deeply disturbing situation: individuals allegedly exploiting this tragedy for personal financial gain through online fundraising campaigns and public donation efforts.

Separate fundraising campaigns were created by Marlaya Borquez and Judy Dacumos through online platforms including Spotfund and GoFundMe. In addition to these online fundraisers, public car washes and direct Zelle payment collections were also conducted in California and Arizona while claiming the money was needed for funeral expenses and support for the family.

However, funeral services, burial arrangements, and related expenses had already been arranged and paid for directly by immediate family members, including the children’s grandmother and eldest daughter. Receipts, contracts, and payment records reportedly show that the funds for funeral services, burial plots, and headstones came from those family members’ personal accounts — not from the individuals operating these campaigns.

Despite this, fundraising efforts allegedly continued for weeks after the services were already covered. Additional updates were posted claiming there was still a need for multiple headstones and burial-related expenses. As of an April 18, 2026 update, claims were made that funds were still needed for “three headstones,” despite records showing the deceased individuals were buried in only two separate plots and that the fundraiser organizers were not listed as owners or purchasers of the plots or memorials.

Family members also allege that Marlaya Borquez contacted local media outlets, including Maricopa County news sources and public social media personalities, to further advertise the fundraiser while continuing to accept donations through online payment platforms outside of the fundraising sites themselves.

This situation has caused additional emotional distress to an already grieving family and has also impacted members of the community who donated in good faith believing they were directly assisting funeral expenses.

We are asking Spotfund, GoFundMe, and appropriate legal authorities to fully investigate these fundraising activities, remove any fraudulent or misleading campaigns, and ensure accountability where wrongdoing is found. We also ask that any improperly obtained donations be reviewed and potentially returned to the donors who contributed under false pretenses.

Fraudulent fundraising not only harms grieving families — it also damages public trust and takes away support from legitimate families facing real emergencies, medical crises, funeral costs, and unexpected tragedies every single day.

Please sign this petition to help promote accountability, transparency, and integrity in charitable fundraising and to help prevent other families and donors from becoming victims of similar situations in the future. 

#STOPFRAUD #JUSTICE #LETTHECHENOFAMILYREST