It's been almost one year since her young daughter Estrella died.
Now Hiram Mendo is fighting a new battle, trying to figure out what happened to over $1,700 meant to help Estrella during her time of need.
She said she called "Tony" Cisneros, a man who claimed he could help the family, and he did for a while.
“No I never had a reason to doubt him,” Cisneros said. “He did help us organize fundraisers and I never thought he was bad."
But a year after Estrella died, Hiram received a letter saying if she didn't pay the $3,000 owed to Flores funeral home in Mission. They would be forced to take legal action.
Hiram said she was confused. She thought "Tony" had paid the bill.
The letter included a check for $14,000 dollars paid for by "Tony" but the director said it bounced.
"Does it hurt me? How can I tell you,” Cisneros said. “Yes it bothers me because it was done in the name of a little girl sick with cancer. I know how to forgive, but it hurts me."
Estrella's mother, told Action 4 News 'Tony' said he never received money from the website he set up to raise funds for Estrella, claiming it was all gone due to taxes and fees.
Action 4 News took those concerns to giveforward.com where the page was set up.
According to Marketing Director Erica Trzeciak, a check was issued to Tony Cisneros, who claimed to be Estrella's uncle on March 26.
The total on the check was $1,734.45.
Trezciak said he provided written consent from Mendo to accept the funds.
However mendo disputes those claims.
"No. The truth is I never signed anything," Cisneros said.
At this point, Hiram said she doesn't want the money back. Just the truth about what happened to over $1,700 meant for her dying daughter.
“I want to know where the money is,” Cisneros said. “I'm not asking for it, I just want to know what he did with it. I just want people to know that it didn't go to Estrella."
Action 4 News did try and contact Tony Cisneros for comment, but he has yet to return our phone calls.
Statement from Give Forward:
“We were shocked and saddened to hear from Action 4 News of what has happened to the Mendo/Ramirez family. No parent should have to bury their child, and this situation only compounds that loss. Here is what we know: On 3/22/12 Give Forward paid $1734.45 to Mr. Cisneros for the benefit of the Ramirez family. The check we issued cleared our bank shortly thereafter. This situation was brought to our attention today, and we are actively attempting to figure out what happened. The integrity of our process is extremely important to us as we endeavor to best serve the countless families who use GiveFoward to raise the resources they need to cope with difficult situations. Again, our deepest sympathies go out to the Ramirez family, both for the loss of their daughter, and for the situation that has come to light in this report.”
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT