A 28-year-old woman claimed she was a 16-year-old and enrolled in a New York City high school — but was confronted by the principal, who learned her true identity on Facebook, according to police.
Kacy Claassen enrolled at the Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx last month claiming to be Shamara Rashad, born in 2010, who had just moved to the Big Apple from Ohio with her sister, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Post.
She attended classes for two weeks — and was even issued a school ID with her fake name and age — until she was confronted by the suspicious school principal with a screenshot of her Facebook page, which revealed her true identity, police said.
Claassen admitted that she had lied — and claimed a friend made her enroll in the school so she would qualify for more public assistance, according to police.
She was arrested April 27 at the school campus and is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, trespassing and criminal impersonation.
She has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on June 15, court records show.
“Enrollment fraud is a serious crime that fundamentally undermines New York City Public School values,” NYC Schools told The Post in a statement.
“The NYPD is actively investigating these allegations and will pursue all appropriate legal action against those responsible. We are providing all necessary and suitable support to the school community.”
Westchester Square Academy is located on a campus with six schools. One of the schools, Lehman High School, sent out a letter to families saying there were suspicions about Claassen’s identity that turned out to be true, according to News 12 Bronx.
