Couple accused of using doll to fake baby's death in heartless scam

A US couple are accused of using a doll to fake their baby's death and scam friends and family for funeral costs.

Pennsylvanian pair Geoffrey and Kaycee Lang are also alleged to have faked the pregnancy, with police charging them with several offences.

Back in May, a baby shower was held for their future child - named Easton Lang - with associates showering the couple in gifts outlined in an online baby registry.

They also regularly posted shots of the fake baby bump on Facebook over the course of the 'pregnancy', before the heartbreaking news came.

The Langs claimed their son passed away mere hours after he was born on July 3, even sharing a photo of the deceased child.

They also posted an obituary on The Tribune-Democrat, adding that before his death the child "experienced holding hands and hugs and kisses with his mommy and daddy before told uncountable number of 'I love yous'".

The image, however, was a fake and police claim was actually that of a newborn baby doll.

Besides the social media images, they had also set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for the funeral and cremation costs.

"This type of behaviour is not tolerated on GoFundMe," the crowdfunding website said in a statement.

"We will fully cooperate with law enforcement officials during their investigation and we will issue full refunds to all donors."

Their campaign received 15 donations in total, some $550 USD (AUD $818), before the scam was flagged by people who knew the pair.

Speaking to Pittsburgh's Action News 4, Cynthia Dilascio threw the couple their baby shower but also contacted police when she became suspicious.

"I don't know if they were doing it for the money," she said.

"I don't know what their motive was to hurt your family and everybody, it's just sick."

When police began making enquiries with local authorities, there was no record for the mother Kaycee Lang or Easton Lang at the hospital, coroner's official or OB-GYN appointments.

A search warrant was issued and police conducted an examination of the home, where they found a personalised urn for Easton Lang, a newborn baby doll, and several other items.

The couple are scheduled to appear in court in October, charged with several offences including fraud, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property.