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Ex-Napa dispatcher charged with faking cancer claim
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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By DAN ROSS
Register Online Staff
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8:30 a.m.Prosecutors say a former Napa police dispatcher duped residents and coworkers into believing she had cancer and bilked them out of tens of thousands of dollars.

Dannille Vanderpool is facing 15 felony counts. Vanderpool, who had worked for the Napa Police Department for about four years, resigned from her job as a dispatcher in late January.
On Monday morning an arrest warrant was issued charging Vanderpool with counts of grand theft, one count of forgery and one count of identity theft.

The investigation leading to the arrest was conducted by the Napa Police Department after members of the staff questioned Vanderpool’s claims of illness and her subsequent actions involving proceeds from fundraisers. Victims listed in the criminal complaint include the Napa Firefighters Association, the Napa Police Officers Association, the Napa Deputy Sheriffs Association, Calistoga Police Officers Association,  Rohnert Park Public Safety, the Santa Rosa Police Officers Association and the Concord Police Officers Association.
Those who believe they may be victims in this case who have not yet been contacted by Napa Police detectives and who agree to be listed as a victim should contact investigator Ron Appel at 253-4852.

Vanderpool was named Napa Dispatcher of the Year in 2006 and 2007, according to notes included in a plea for funds to be donated to her through the Dannille and Sydney Vanderpool Fund organized by the Napa Police Officers' Association at that time.
44 comment(s)

starling wrote on Apr 14, 2009 2:40 AM:

" Well I can see I was right about this. This story so echos what a young women did about a year ago in Nevada. She also claimed cancer and took alot of money, etc., from quite a few people. She seriously needs some mental help, people don't usually do this kind of thing unless they are crying for attention and have problems with feeling loved. It's just too bad that she didn't get the help first. "

misfit wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:48 AM:

" How do you fake this kind of thing? Weren't there physician's notes regarding missing work?. Wasn't there a loss of weight, hair etc? I don't get it??? "

steph wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:48 AM:

" Now THAT is a story. "

write1 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 8:15 AM:

" Perhaps, Mr. Ross, you would consider using some restraint when it comes to identifying minors for the purpose of padding your article. Ms. Vanderpool's daughter is among the greatest victims here and does not need further victimization from your exploitative journalism. "

napa1984 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 8:56 AM:

" Seriously, how stupid can people be! How can you possibly think you wouldnt get caught? Wow, now she is going to spend years behind bars. "

Kathy Concened wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:10 AM:

" Why did The Register feel the need to print Danielle's little girls name? Shame on you!! The little girl is a victim too. "

winemd wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:19 AM:

" I am so sad for her daughter and her family who will also suffer the consequences of her actions. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:22 AM:

" write 1 and Kathy Concerned:
The donation fund is in the names of two individuals, I did not make up that fact. It is necessary to explain who the second person is, for readers to understand the two names listed. The relevance of the daughter's name is that the donation fund used both mother and daughter's name. "

Localnapa wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:23 AM:

" The Register is not the one at fault for putting the daughter's name out there. A quick google search shows how she, too, was exploited by her Mom in all of this. http://www.911cares.com/projects/2007/dannille.pdf

Nice parenting. This is all so sad, I just don't understand people sometimes. "

mafi wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:33 AM:

" How awful that she dragged her innocent daughter into this as well;-( "

Kathy Concened wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:38 AM:

" Sorry Dan....Your argument is weak. You could have explained in the article that you will not publish the second person's name because the other person is Vanderpoole's minor child. If people really want to know, they can figure it out. YOU DID NOT HAVE TO PUBLISH HER NAME !!! "

lavgirl wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:26 AM:

" I can't believe this! And I thought she was dying at times.....how dare her. I feel for her daughter and her family..... "

pinkflame wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:30 AM:

" Resigning shouldve been a first clue... "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:53 AM:

" Kathy:
Although I understand your position, the daughter's name has been associated with this for years ... look at the article from 2007 where mom talks at length about the daughter and this issue ... her name was published long ago and also with all items publicizing the fundraisers that were held.
The daughter is not the focus of our interviews or follow-up articles for this incident. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Apr 14, 2009 10:54 AM:

" If you donated money to this fund and you are interested in talking about your reasons for donating, contact me at dross@napanews.com "

pb wrote on Apr 14, 2009 11:39 AM:

" The issue is not that the daughter was mentioned - it was already public knowledge. This is indeed very, very sad. And of course, Ms. Vanderpool will have to answer for what she did and will have to make restitution - just like everyone else who has been accused of committing a crime(s). It's now in the hands of the court. Once everyone has expressed their shock and anger, and she has paid her dues, we all need to try and move on. Think of the celebrities who have done their time, (and even come back stronger). Something has obviously been emotionally and mentally wrong inside - not so different from one with a physical issue - and with help, perhaps this woman can understand why she did this. And hopefully everyone can find a way to forgive her. People do things for reasons not everyone - even themselves - can understand. I can only pray for her and her family - and to hope that those who were involved can heal. "

1964 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 11:43 AM:

" I think that some people are missing the point....what she has done has effected the people that are suffering from cancer and the financial toll it takes. Now organizations and people are going be more hesitant to help. She has taken advantage of people who have cancer,like myself, who hesitate to ask for help.
I hope she has a lot of time behind bars to reflect on what she has done!! "

VERUM wrote on Apr 14, 2009 11:56 AM:

" Most unfortunately: the sins of the mother are visited upon the daughter.

If anything, I doubt this community will punish this child, although parents may want to counsel their own children about being cruel; Sydney need not be ostracized. "

Calistoga_Tony wrote on Apr 14, 2009 12:02 PM:

" Why so sad? It was just her own personal bailout. She was just ahead of the game. Good hustle lady, too bad you got caught. "

SDmom wrote on Apr 14, 2009 12:59 PM:

" I read the link that Localnapa had. Did her mother and her daughter's father know what was going on? How could they not know?? The father moved back here to "help." Her mother was "taking her to dr appts." Very confusing, and extremely sad. "

watchdoggie wrote on Apr 14, 2009 1:00 PM:

" For years when you had an emergency and needed immediate help, it was Danielle who was your conduit for assistance, at all hours, and she apparently did it with enough competence and integrity to twice earn commendation from our police department. As one who is not so naïve as to believe that people are either all-good or all-bad, perhaps we should give her the benefit of the doubt and wait for the whole story to emerge. Especially before we bring her child into it. "

PANCANSURVIVOR05 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 1:02 PM:

" Hello Everyone, this just really makes me sad. Number one, I am a cancer survivor since 2005. My mother is also.
Not once did I or my mother look to the community for help with our diagnosis, treatment or support. My mother is 72 and still wroking. I am 45, widowed and work two (2) jobs to pay my mortgage and bills. I have my good days and bad, but I get through just like I got through the surgery and treatment. one minute, one hour , one day at a time. I can only say that this is really a sad day for real survivors! She has not only cheated her community and local law enforcement, but her daughter out of a normal life with her MOM! "

og2009 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 1:17 PM:

" WOW ! ! ! I thank you for the article. I have been waiting for this. So agree with the Register. Its very unfortunate for the little girl. How about if people just donated to the little girl? I think that is another reason why they had to do it. I really feel sorry for everyone. Special the little girl. Its not like her last name is Smith or Garcia. The mother should at least let her change it. I really hope this does not stop other people from donating to REALLY FAMILIES that are REALLY needing the help. I know that there has to be many out there. God Bless them all. "

bmxdad wrote on Apr 14, 2009 1:25 PM:

" Very hard to comprehend what some people are capable of. There's a case that is weirdly a mirror of this one: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/02/19/national/a131012S49.DTL

It'll be interesting to see how this case will be adjudicated. "

frenchtoast wrote on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM:

" This is really heartbreaking! Mostly for the daughter and all of the friends, family and organizations who felt the "pain" of this woman and who so badly wanted to assist. Now anytime a real survivor is in need or there is a fund set up for donations for someone truly in need, a little tiny question mark will be in the head of the possible donor. This is a serious crime to anyone who has had an ill family member - specifically Cancer. I hope the daughter gets the counseling she needs after being subjected to such poor character and judgment of this mother. Must have been some actress. "

why wrote on Apr 14, 2009 2:07 PM:

" Wow!!!

This gal needs some mental help. Doesn't the police dept check that she has doctor slips from her visits? Those were probably made up as well or taken off the doctors shelf when he looked the other way.

I can't even imagine what her little girl is feeling as well as her family members. This just makes me sick. "

PANCANSURVIVOR05 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 3:22 PM:

" 1964 .... I agree 100%! I hope you are coping well and have family and friends to help you through this. I will be praying for you and your family. "

LifeLongNapan wrote on Apr 14, 2009 3:31 PM:

" I went to Marys Pizza shack for this woman so she would get 15% of the proceeds. Marys better get their money back. Thanks for taking advantage of good, generous people Dannille! "

og2009 wrote on Apr 14, 2009 4:23 PM:

" "PANCANSURVIVOR05" Good for you. And for the many others out there. "LifeLongNapan" Thank you for the reminder. I know I gave some how. I just could not remember where and how. I too hope that Marys Pizza Shack, gets their moneys back. And I hope they do not stop letting other families and our community use them for that purpose. Thank you very much for all your support Marys Pizza. "

cavmpm wrote on Apr 14, 2009 4:27 PM:

" What we need to do is stop blaming the Register for printing public knowlage. We need to stand by this family and this little girl and support them in this situation. the women who choose to fake an illness that kills many every year, is the person at fault. No one else, we were all fooled. SHAME ON THE WOMAN no one else. "

mamyt wrote on Apr 14, 2009 4:32 PM:

" So if she is diagnosed with Cancer will the law suits be dropped? "

Hmmm... wrote on Apr 14, 2009 5:48 PM:

" She has been charged, but has not had a trial. In our judicial system, a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Please keep this in mind. "

mhnapavalley wrote on Apr 14, 2009 6:04 PM:

" I think what she has done is horrible. She used her daughter in previous articles to obtain money. All the victims will heal in time but that poor beautiful daughter of hers will have to live with this forever. Hopefully this little girl has enough family support to get her through this. "

steph wrote on Apr 14, 2009 6:33 PM:

" She's innocent in the eyes of the law, but public opinion is not held to the same standard as the law. There are people who claim to be affected by the subject of the story and while she cannot be criminally punished without a trial, her actions can certainly be scrutinized. "

Mr. Feasor wrote on Apr 14, 2009 9:45 PM:

" As per my comments in the February article, I have remained mum on this matter.

But now I have to question how she managed to pull this off. Did any city employee double-check her health care expenses? Wasn't that how was she able to get police and firefighter organizations to back her (allegedly) fraudulent fundraisers?

I mean - unless the doctor was a co-conspirator - a little oversight could have nipped this one in the bud. "

neesie1313 wrote on Apr 15, 2009 10:30 PM:

" " I'm an old friend of Dannille's. I've known her for 10-11 years. I've partied with her in the old days. I've vacationed with her in the old days. I'm sorry to see all the critisim towards her. People are so quick to condemn a person before all the facts are out. In the old days they called this a lynching. Have we not grown over the years? I didn't give money to her trust. Rather I gave her and her daughter dinner when she felt down. I spent time with her and her daughter. I lovingly spent money on food and delivered it to her when she was down. Was she faking it, possibly. Was she ever ill, yes, I believe so. Am I angry, no. I will try to stand by her as best I can. Her daughter needs to be able to go to school and not be ridiculed by her classmates. Please Parents! If you donated to this cause, please keep your angry comments to yourself so that your children, her daughter's classmates, can't hear you. Children can be so mean at this age. Her daughter is a wonderful little girl and needs to know that she has support...not just with adults, but with her peers... " "

Grl 2sda wrote on Apr 16, 2009 2:04 AM:

" I understand, both the shock & empathy that most people feel when reading about the accusations against Ms. Vanderpool. I felt those same things when I was handed a flyer back in October of 2007 regarding the fundraising efforts for this young woman and her child. I was so amazed and inspired by the outpour of support from this community. I was shocked that this woman was even alive after the descriptive account on the flyer about her battle with cancer. Being a single mother myself, it pulled at my heartstrings, for I could not imagine the anguish this mother was feeling, knowing that her illness would very well take her life and rob her of watching her daughter grow up. I, like many, went to Mary’s Pizza Shack to help raise funds for her but more importantly…my children and I prayed for her and her daughter unendingly, something that we continue to do to this day.
I have read the comments left here and agree with most. I believe that the people who have suspected this for some time feel some type of gratification from finally seeing it come to the public’s eye. Many of those people were those that were closest to her and as you can imagine are hurt that she could look them in the eye and tell such tall tales about her heath condition. I have to both agree and disagree with neesie1313 – I agree that we must all rally around this little girl and continue to pray for strength for her and her family. The sins of the mother should definitely not fall on the daughter! "

Grl 2sda wrote on Apr 16, 2009 2:04 AM:

" …Where I disagree is the condemnation part. I believe that people want Ms. Vanderpool to be accountable for the wrong she has done. Yes, she may have taken money under false pretenses- that is horrible. She will, if convicted have to pay restitution for that…but what about all the damage that money can’t repair. The relationships and friendships she has destroyed due to her lies. Tell me Neesie… has she ever apologized to you? I believe that many people who helped her are still waiting for some type of answer, some type of explanation, and certainly some type of apology. If and when she apologizes to you…I would like to know.
Most importantly, and surely on the minds of everyone who is linked to this story, wonders about the well being of her child. Especially after being told for years that her mother is going to die any day. Where was Ms. Vanderpool’s compassion for her own daughter?
Ms. Vanderpool has brought this on herself and now has to face whatever consequences are put forth. Do I believe she is an evil person -no. Do I believe she has “issues”-absolutely! One can only speculate on her motives…although, I am almost certain money was not one of them.
For those of you who feel duped by Ms. Vanderpool, I remind you that your intention at the time that you contributed is what counts!!! This community is comprised of outstanding and generous individuals who I believe will continue to meet the needs of its residents when it is asked of them.
My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family of the accused…I hope and pray that you have the strength to endure this long battle. "

napa1234 wrote on Apr 16, 2009 3:52 AM:

" Neesie1313,
Of course it is not her daughter's fault. She is the biggest victim of all. Worrying that her mother could die for years, then finding out her mom was faking the cancer is going to leave some scars. My sister was close friends with her, and I have spent time with Dannille and her daughter. She has claimed she would never do anything to hurt her daughter, and I know she did not hurt her physically, but emotional is almost worse than physical in this case. If the truth had never come out, her daughter would have just been greatful her mother had gotten better, and I am sure that is what Dannille was counting on. But Dannille should have taken into account that her lies might be exposed and the harm that would cause her daughter. Dannille pushed it too far and obviously she has some mental issues to feel the need to fake cancer. I have attempted to put her motives in a comment before and it doesn't get posted, but I am sure after court tomorrow when more facts are released everyone will know what Dannille hoped to gain from her deception. But I do not believe money was her sole motivation. As a person close to this situation, and knowing her personally, I can say I feel sorry for her, but do not think she should go unpunished. She needs some help and maybe this will wake her up to that fact. In this economy, with all of us having money problems, what she did was hurt people who genuinely have cancer and need help. I hope people keep open hearts and continue to help others in need, but if even one person has second thoughts.... We all lost and there is no excuse. "

NapaPeeps wrote on Apr 16, 2009 6:42 AM:

" neesie1313 maybe you should look up the definition of what a lynching really is. its when a group of people takes a person who is in police custody and takes that person away from the police. As for Dannille you may stand by her but for the rest us who were also her friends and did many things to help her while she was faking this, it goes a little deeper and we wont be so quick to just say oh well and forgive. Maybe you should have been there with the rest of us remodeling her home from the ground up while she rested from being too sick to help. Maybe you should have been mowing her lawn instead of Wendy who truely has cancer. Im glad you will be so forgiving but I doubt you were conned as bad as the rest of her "good friends" "

neesie1313 wrote on Apr 16, 2009 8:07 AM:

" Grl 2sda - No she hasn't apologize and don't know that she would.

Napa1234 - I didn't say that she wasn't guilty of what she's done. I think court today will say alot. I have every reason to be as angry as everyone else. I didn't just head down to the Pizza Shack, nor did I just send in a check. I spent a lot of time and effort making sure that she and her daughter had plenty to eat because she was too 'weak' to fix anything. I should be angry, I'm just finding that I'm not. Maybe it's shock.

NapaPeeps - I don't need to look up what a lynching is. I WAS at her house helping her paint. I saw all the people helping her. I was at her housewarming. I can totally understand all the anger people are feeling over this. I would just like to see her daughter not have to pay for her mother's sins. "

winemd wrote on Apr 16, 2009 10:36 AM:

" My son is at the same elementary school as the daughter, but not the same class. So I do not know if she has been in class since this happened. Asking for advice here- Should I talk to my son about what has happened before he finds out in another way? Will he then go out and tell everybody (I really dislike gossip)? I have no doubt that some kids will know about it (I hope their parents counsel them not to be mean, as I will). Or should I wait until it comes up? Then again, what if he doesn't ask me about what he has heard? Or should I jsut say something generic about the daughter having some hard circumstances right now and to be especially nice? Should the school teachers/counselors get involved? "

neesie1313 wrote on Apr 16, 2009 8:50 PM:

" Thank you winemd...I think you have really centered on the issue...Dannille is an adult and she is ultimately responsible for her actions...my opinion (which in this forum doesn't really mean much), your child deserves the truth with the back up that this isn't OK nor is it their fault. Kids WILL talk. If you treat your child with maturety and respect, they will show you the same. This is what makes them mature...Do we owe this to Dannille...the courts will decide. Do we owe this lesson to our children to be respectful of other children having a difficult time...yes. Only us parents can teach our children compassion. Are we, are they, are the kids... in a position to judge...?

AGAIN (before I am lamblasted in this forum)...I'm not saying that Dannille is not guilty. I'd like to believe that she isn't...the odds are against her definitely...but that doesn't mean we have to force our opinions on this issue on our children...give them the truth, let them decide...ask them what they think, rather than tell them what they should think... "

NapaPeeps wrote on Apr 17, 2009 2:53 PM:

" I think we should wait until she pleads guilty then tell our children that she did it and hope they learn not to be like her when they grow up. We need to use the bad people as examples of how our kids shouldn't act. I think this case is just that. "

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