A 28-year-old woman has been arrested following allegations that she successfully enrolled in a New York City high school by posing as a teenager. The individual, identified as Kacy Claassen, reportedly attended Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx for approximately two weeks.
Claassen allegedly used the alias Shamara Rashad to gain entry into the school system. She claimed to be a 16-year-old student who had recently relocated to New York from Ohio with her sister.
The deception was uncovered when the school principal, Marques Rich, grew suspicious of the student's background. Upon conducting a search, Rich discovered a Facebook profile that appeared to reveal the woman's true identity and age.
The social media account reportedly displayed a birth date of July 29, 1997, and featured photographs of the woman with a child. These findings directly contradicted the claims she made during the enrollment process.
When confronted by school administration, Claassen initially maintained her false identity. However, she eventually admitted to the ruse after being presented with evidence from her own social media profile.
Authorities allege that the scheme was motivated by a desire to collect additional public assistance funds. Claassen reportedly claimed that an acquaintance encouraged her to participate in the fraudulent enrollment to secure these benefits.
Following her arrest on April 27, Claassen was charged with criminal impersonation and trespassing. Some reports also indicate that she faces charges related to endangering the welfare of a child.
The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty and was released following her initial arraignment. She is currently scheduled to return to court in mid-June to face these serious allegations.
NYC Schools officials have condemned the incident, labeling enrollment fraud as a significant crime that threatens the integrity of public education. The NYPD continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding how an adult was able to bypass standard verification procedures.
Students at the academy expressed shock regarding the situation, noting the absurdity of an adult blending into the classroom environment. The case has prompted renewed discussions about the necessity of rigorous identity verification protocols within the city's public school system.