Woman arrested for fraud, claims McDonald's coffee caused 2nd-degree burns

SAN BERNADINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A Victorville woman faces charges of insurance and workers' compensation fraud after falsely claiming that she suffered second-degree burns from spilled McDonald's coffee.

Selena Edwards, 38, claimed when she purchased a cup of coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru, the lid wasn't secured and spilled on her right hand.

She filed an insurance claim with photos of a hand with second-degree burns. Those photos turned out to be copies from a hospital website, state insurance officials said. Edwards also turned in fake paperwork about treatment she received from a hospital.

"By copying legitimate burn photos from the internet, Edwards attempted to make a profit from another person's pain and suffering and for this she will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said.

McDonald's insurer paid out about $2,000, according to a spokesman for the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.

Edwards surrendered Oct. 29 and is free on bail. She faces 21 felony counts, including submitting a fraudulent insurance claim, statements and evidence.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 18.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.