Father Allegedly Robbed Bank To Pay For His Toddler Daughter’s Cancer Treatment

A father from Michigan has been arrested for allegedly robbing a bank in order to pay for the expensive cancer treatments required to save his toddler daughter.

According to the Huffington Post, 23-year-old Brian Randolph robbed the Vibe Credit Union in South Lyon, Michigan, on August 12. He got away with a substantial sum of money, but was found by police two days later. Since Randolph’s arrest, Asia Dupree, the mother of his young daughter Brailynn, has spoken to news outlets and revealed that Brian Randolph only robbed the bank to pay for Brailynn’s cancer treatment.

According to WXYZ, Brailynn’s health insurance was unexpectedly cancelled after Dupree failed to renew it following the toddler’s one year birthday. This health insurance was the only help Brian Randolph had in paying for chemotherapy for his daughter’s retinoblastoma, which is a kind of eye cancer. Randolph reportedly robbed the bank as a last-minute decision to pay for an upcoming cancer treatment.

“I guess it was desperation. Time was ticking right before her appointment came up,” said the girl’s mother.

Not only is the cancer treatment expensive, but Brailynn also has to receive them every four weeks.

Surveillance footage of the robbery shows Brian Randolph slipping a bank teller a note at the Vibe Credit Union, informing him or her that he had a gun, even though he didn’t reveal it.

“I’m not sure what he was thinking at that point,” said the girlfriend of Brian Randolph. “But at the end of the day the only thing I can think about is him trying to take care of his child.”

The aunt of Brian Randolph confirmed that he only robbed the bank to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment. She claims that even behind bars, the father’s main concern is getting help for his toddler.

“The only thing he kept telling me is I want to be the man I’m supposed to be,” she said. “I want to provide for my child.”

However, things are not looking good for Brian Randolph. Despite having a compassionate motive for the crime, the father’s attorney Karri Mitchell is not sure his chances are good to get out of jail. He’s being held on a massive $500,000 bond.

“He just asked me, when am I gonna get out of here,” said the lawyer. “I said you may not get out of here.”

Mitchell admits that the actions of Brian Randolph were wrong, but hopes that the judge will have mercy on his client because of his good intentions.

But Lieutenant Christopher Sovik from the South Lyon Police Department still condemns Brian Randolph, claiming that paying for cancer treatment is still not a good excuse to go through with the bank robbery.

“There are lots of fathers with children who are sick and they don’t have a way to properly provide medical care for them,” he said. “But they’re not out there robbing banks.”

How do you think Brian Randolph should be treated for allegedly robbing the bank to pay for a toddler’s cancer treatment? Regardless of your opinion of Brian Randolph, you can choose to support his daughter Brailynn by donating to her GoFundMe campaign.

[Image credit: South Lyon Police Department and WYXZ]