Girl Lies about Death of Father in Iraq to Win Hanna Montana Tickets

[MegaDisney]

AP-An essay that won a 6-year-old girl four tickets to a Hannah Montana concert began with the powerful line: "My daddy died this year in Iraq."

While gripping, it wasn't true and now the girl may lose her tickets after her mom acknowledged to contest organizers it was all a lie.

The sponsor of the contest was Club Libby Lu, a Chicago-based store that sells clothes, accessories and games intended for young girls.

The saga began Friday with company officials surprising the girl at a Club Libby Lu at a mall in suburban Garland, about 20 miles northeast of Dallas. The girl won a makeover that included a blonde Hannah Montana wig, as well as the grand prize: airfare for four to Albany, N.Y., and four tickets to the sold-out Hannah Montana concert on Jan. 9.

The mother had told company officials that the girl's father died April 17 in a roadside bombing in Iraq, company spokeswoman Robyn Caulfield said.

She had identified the soldier as Sgt. Jonathon Menjivar, but the Department of Defense has no record of anyone with that name dying in Iraq. Caulfield said the mother has admitted to the deception.

"We regret that the original intent of the contest, which was to make a little girl's holiday extra special, has not been realized in the way we anticipated," said Mary Drolet, the CEO of Club Libby Lu.

Drolet said the company is reviewing the matter, and is considering taking away the girl's tickets.

[SpaceMtn101]

Its sad but thats how popular hannah montana is.

[Melanie]

A 6 year old doesn't come up with something like that on her own. Shame on that mother!

[kakn7294]

That's pretty low! That mom had to have more than a hand in fabricating this child's story. It's terrible when real people are dying in Iraq that they made up a story like that to win Hannah Montana concert tickets. What a disgrace!

[PirateLover]

Absolutely despicable

[Sunshine1010]

Honestly.....I'm speechless.

[The Bookseller]

This is just sad. In all honesty, I can understand the greed. What I miss is how a parent could inspire their own child to write such things. Is there any morale left in our times?

[RedheadWriter]

What a terrible thing to do.

[Dsnygirl]

I truly hope they do take away the tickets - to do anything less would show that little girl that while lying may be embarassing and troublesome, there really aren't any consequences. How horrid of a thing to lie about, when there are young people facing this reality daily.... She really needs to be taught a lesson - unfortunately, I think it's too late for her mom.

[disneymom15]

I totally agree with all of you. The tickets should be taken away.

[tinklover]

this story has just made me absolutely sick.. some people have no morals what so ever I also hope the tickets are taken back and given to a lil girl who actually deserves em . I am sure the 6 yr old had little to do with this though but still it is a sad shame. what is this world coming to?

[Caroleh]

Would I sound harsh if I said it doesn't surprise me? I work with the public and I've seen that people will do anything to get what they want including lying. I hope the girl loses the tickets, because she doesn't deserve them.

[berri_boo]

This makes me so unbelievably angry. The tickets should be taken away & she should have to write an apology essay! She needs to learn that it is not ok to lie like that...even if mommy said it was ok!

There are real people losing their lives in Iraq & Afghanistan everyday and this is not ok. My brother lost two very close comrades while in Irag and it happened on Veteran's Day...of all days! This is not something that should be taken lightly.....not even for a 6-year old to win Hanna Montana tickets.

[pink]

Wow, what kind of parent does that to a child. I hope they take away the tickets from them. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't.

[Kairi_7378]

I truly hope they do take away the tickets - to do anything less would show that little girl that while lying may be embarassing and troublesome, there really aren't any consequences. How horrid of a thing to lie about, when there are young people facing this reality daily.... She really needs to be taught a lesson - unfortunately, I think it's too late for her mom.

[Beach Club Babe]

While this story appalls me, I am almost positive that the 6 year old had nothing whatsoever to do with the whole thing. I think it's more likely that the mother wrote the entire essay and sent it in without this little girl's knowledge. The sad part is, this little girl thought she won tickets to her idol's concert and now will probably not be allowed to go. Furthermore, I can't help but think of the damage to the mother/daughter relationship! It absolutely sickens me, that this "mother" would risk such heartbreak to her child, as well as the poor example she sets for her!

[JPL]

I not only hope the tickets are taken away but that charges are pressed against the mother maybe this way the daughter will see there are consequences to your actions since obviously the mother isn't teaching here anything.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I not only hope the tickets are taken away but that charges are pressed against the mother maybe this way the daughter will see there are consequences to your actions since obviously the mother isn't teaching here anything.

I am with you on this one Jeff... I hope the mom is brought up on charges... And I hope that little 6 year old does not get to see Hannah Montana.... Give the tickets to a TRUE winner....

[SurferStitch]

Disgusting.

[kakn7294]

I am with you on this one Jeff... I hope the mom is brought up on charges... And I hope that little 6 year old does not get to see Hannah Montana.... Give the tickets to a TRUE winner....

Actually, it's a shame that the little girl will be punished for the what I assume are the actions of her mother. The little girl is really the one caught in the middle. Allowing her to go to the concert sends the message that it's okay to lie and cheat the system to get what you want but not allowing her to go punishes her for the actions of her mother since it's unlikely that a 6 yo came up with this scheme herself. Regardless, I still feel she shouldn't be allowed to go and that mom should be punished somehow.