Mother of Karmelo Anthony Claims Family Hasn’t ‘Received a Single Dime’ From Donations, Despite Moving Into $900K Gated Community
In a stunning twist, the parents of Karmelo Anthony — the Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing a fellow student— claim they have yet to receive a single dollar from a half-million-dollar fundraiser created to support their son’s legal defense and relocation.
The statement follows public scrutiny over the family’s move into a $900,000 rental home in a gated Frisco community.
Anthony, 17, was released from jail earlier this week after a judge controversially reduced his bond. He is currently under house arrest and wears an ankle monitor as he awaits trial.
Police say Anthony admitted to stabbing Memorial High School junior Austin Metcalf during an altercation at a track meet on April 2. His attorney is expected to argue self-defense.
TTOA highlighted that Anthony and his family are now residing in a luxury home in the Richwoods neighborhood, an exclusive gated area located near Centennial High School, where Anthony previously attended and ran track.
The house is reportedly being rented at around $3,500 per month, and neighbors noted several new vehicles parked in the driveway.
Despite the high-profile relocation, Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, told reporters at a Thursday press conference that her family has not accessed any of the roughly $500,000 raised through a GiveSendGo campaign.
“We have not received a single dime from the GiveSendGo fundraiser,” she said, according to the Daily Mail. “We were just notified yesterday that we could begin to withdraw funds and it still takes several days to receive those funds once the request is made.”
The fundraiser notes the funds are intended for legal fees, basic living costs, counseling, security, transportation and “the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats.”
In court, Anthony’s father, Andrew Anthony, testified he was unable to use the fundraiser to pay the original $1 million bond and said the money was earmarked for other expenses.
Dominique Alexander, president of the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), which is assisting the Anthony family, addressed media on Thursday and pushed back on claims the family was misusing donations.
“The Anthony family has been subject to an unimaginable amount of hate, racism and threats to their safety,” he said.
Alexander also stated NGAN provided security for the family and denied reports that they had “splurged” on a new home.
Alexander, an ally of former “Squad” member Cori Bush and a known advocate of defunding the police, has been politically active in left-wing causes. His organization helped finance Bush’s campaigns.
The press conference grew tense when Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, unexpectedly appeared and had to be removed by police.
Authorities say the confrontation between Anthony and Metcalf began when Metcalf told Anthony — who did not attend Memorial High — to leave his school’s tent area.
The argument escalated, and Anthony allegedly pulled a knife, stabbing Metcalf in the chest. Metcalf died in his twin brother’s arms at the scene.
Online rumors previously circulated that Metcalf had bullied Anthony, but the family’s spokesperson later clarified the two had never met before the incident, according to the Daily Mail.
Frisco ISD has moved to expel Anthony, who was preparing to graduate with a 3.7 GPA.
Following backlash over her bond reduction ruling, Judge Angela Tucker has reportedly gone private on social media. During the hearing, she remarked, “They’ve never had the security issues they’ve faced with this case.”
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