Not entered into canon DOES NOT mean it was fake.
Not being entered into the canon means it cannot be treated as though it were.
Peter said there were “artfully contrived stories” that some were paying attention but that the God inspired canon was the only writing that was trustworthy. (2 Peter 1:16-21)
Origen was among the first to point out it was a fake and also discounted the notion that Mary did not have any other children. The Protoevangelium of James was very popular because of a desire to know of Jesus' early life.
The ignorance of Jewish life is another indication of it being a forgery.
However, the desire for a Mother goddess has always been popular.
The Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny were not entered into Cannon. Does that mean there is a good case for them being real?