The Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo has staunchly defended its decision to host a fundraising campaign for the family of Karmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old Texas teenager charged with the murder of fellow student Austin Metcalf.

The fundraiser, which has raised nearly $500,000, has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing it violates the platform’s policies against campaigns that financially benefit individuals accused of violent crimes.

Despite the backlash, GiveSendGo’s founders remain firm, emphasizing their commitment to due process and the presumption of innocence.

On April 2, 2025, Karmelo Anthony, a senior at Frisco Centennial High School, allegedly stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School, during an altercation at a track meet in Frisco, Texas.

The incident occurred at David Kuykendall Stadium, where police say the two teens, who did not know each other, argued over seating arrangements.

According to reports, Metcalf and his twin brother told Anthony he was in the wrong seat, leading to a confrontation during which Anthony allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.

Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. On April 14, a judge reduced his bond from $1 million to $250,000, allowing his release from jail under house arrest with an ankle monitor.

The fundraiser, titled “Help Karmelo Official Fund,” was created on GiveSendGo to cover legal expenses and support the Anthony family during the ongoing legal proceedings.

As of April 18, 2025, the campaign had raised approximately $480,000, nearing its $500,000 goal.

The page includes a message from the Anthony family expressing gratitude for the support and describing the funds as essential during this “incredibly difficult time.”

However, the campaign has drawn ire from some who believe it contravenes GiveSendGo’s stated policy, which prohibits campaigns that are “racist, hateful, potentially libelous, support or promote physical violence, or are intended to financially benefit individuals for the commission of violent crimes.”

Critics have pointed to rumors circulating on social media claiming the Anthony family used the funds to purchase a new home and a Cadillac.

These allegations were addressed during a press conference on April 17, hosted by the Next Generation Action Network, where Kala Hayes, Anthony’s mother, tearfully denied the claims.

“The claims that were used about the public donation, to buy a home or anything else, are completely false,” Hayes stated. “We have not received a single dime from the GiveSendGo fundraiser.”

GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells confirmed to Snopes that no funds had been withdrawn from the campaign, further debunking the rumors.

GiveSendGo, founded in 2014 as an alternative to GoFundMe, was established to provide a platform for Christian campaigns that its founders felt were unfairly restricted by other crowdfunding sites.

The platform has previously faced scrutiny for hosting fundraisers for individuals accused of violent crimes, including Kyle Rittenhouse and Daniel Penny, both of whom were later acquitted.

In a statement to TMZ, Wells defended the decision to maintain the Anthony fundraiser, arguing that the platform’s mission includes supporting individuals who deserve due process.

“Suspects still deserve due process and presumption of innocence,” Wells said, noting that GiveSendGo’s policies allow campaigns for those accused of crimes, provided they do not explicitly promote violence.

The controversy intensified following a chaotic press conference on April 17, where Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, was escorted out by police after attempting to attend.

Organized by Dominique Alexander of the Next Generation Action Network, the event aimed to clarify the use of the GiveSendGo funds and address misinformation.

Alexander criticized Metcalf’s presence, calling it “a disrespect to the dignity of his son,” and reiterated that the Anthony family had not accessed the donated funds.

The press conference was further overshadowed by reports of swatting at Jeff Metcalf’s home later that day, adding to the tension surrounding the case.

Supporters of the fundraiser argue that Anthony’s case is not clear-cut. One anonymous donor, contributing $10, wrote on the GiveSendGo page, “Keep the conversation grounded in facts.

A case that wasn’t of premeditated murder, just an incident similar to [Kyle] Rittenhouse’s situation, Karmelo was facing imminent threats to his life.”

Another donor, who gave $25, expressed solidarity, stating, “Donating again because the pain of watching a young Black child be targeted by lies and hate is too much to bear.”

These sentiments reflect a broader debate about the circumstances of the stabbing and the fairness of Anthony’s treatment.

The case has also raised questions about GiveSendGo’s operational policies.

Unlike GoFundMe, which explicitly prohibits fundraisers for the legal defense of individuals charged with violent crimes, GiveSendGo’s guidelines are less restrictive, allowing campaigns for accused individuals unless they actively support violence.

This distinction has positioned GiveSendGo as a platform willing to host controversial campaigns, a stance that has both garnered support and fueled criticism.

As the legal proceedings continue, the Anthony family faces ongoing public scrutiny.

Karmelo, described by his father as an A-student, football and track team captain, and part-time worker with college aspirations, remains under house arrest in a gated community in Frisco, Texas.

The family has reportedly relocated to a rented property for safety reasons, with defense attorney Mike Howard confirming that the GiveSendGo funds will also support private security and relocation costs.

Meanwhile, the Metcalf family continues to mourn Austin’s loss, with Jeff Metcalf’s actions at the press conference underscoring the raw grief and division this tragedy has caused.

GiveSendGo’s decision to keep the fundraiser active reflects its broader mission to provide a platform for campaigns aligned with its values, even in the face of public outcry.

As the case progresses, the platform’s role in supporting the Anthony family will likely remain a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over justice, crowdfunding, and the presumption of innocence.