Alleged child cancer scammers Ben Stephen Miller and Michelle Bodzsar front Adelaide court

The man who police claim shaved his son’s head and eyebrows in a grotesque cancer scam with his partner declined to answer any questions about the astonishing alleged swindle when he appeared in court in person for the first time.

Ben Stephen Miller and Michelle Bodzsar appeared before magistrate Brian Nitschke at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday in a case that has garnered worldwide attention.

Police allege the pair shaved their six-year-old son’s head and eyebrows and placed him in a wheelchair with bandages to imitate stereotactic radiotherapy treatment, soliciting funds from sympathetic parents and businesses.

“Our investigation has confirmed the child is not seeking medical treatment,” police said in a press conference after charges were laid.

“We believe this farce illness is causing significant and serious psychological harm to the child and their sibling.”

The alleged scam took place between November 18 and December 12 last year.

Prosecutors have charged the pair with an aggravated act that is likely to cause harm and deceiving others to benefit self.

On Tuesday, the prosecution told the court that it had not yet determined the final charges and was waiting for doctors’ reports into the couple’s children before proceeding with final allegations.

“The Director (of Public Prosecutions) has now deemed this matter to be a complex file,” the prosecutor said.

“An additional doctor’s report is required.

“That is due to be completed by the end of April.”

Defence counsel for Mr Miller and Ms Bodzsar did not oppose the adjournment.

Mr Nitschke scheduled May 7 for the couple’s next appearance, where it is expected the prosecution will confirm the final charges.

Ms Bodzsar appeared via videolink from custody, while Mr Miller, sporting a goatee, shaved head and a suit, sat quietly in the dock throughout proceedings.

He left the court quickly and confronted a media scrum but declined to comment on the case or state whether he would contest the allegations.

Police claim the pair swindled $60,000 in the alleged scam, which has gone viral around the world, with reports on the case appearing in Dutch, Italian and US media.

Ms Bodzsar wrote on social media that their son had stage 1 eye cancer.

“Three tumours … on and around the optic nerve,” she wrote.

“I look at you with sadness in my eyes and heart.

“It’s unbearable for daddy and mummy to see you go through this. Your blues no longer shine but an emptiness in a world you have not been in long.”

The pair’s two children have been removed from their custody.

Mr Miller and Ms Bodzsar have not yet entered pleas.