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28-year-old woman impersonated student at New York City high school for 2 weeks before arrest
Police say Kacy Claassen enrolled under a fake name and birthdate, and school officials later found her real Facebook profile.
- On Monday, police arrested 28-year-old Kacy Claassen at Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx after she spent two weeks impersonating a student. She was charged with criminal impersonation, trespassing, and endangering the welfare of a child.
- Claassen enrolled at Westchester Square Academy on April 13, claiming to be a 16-year-old girl named Shamara Rashad who had moved from Ohio. She used this false identity to gain access to school for two weeks.
- Westchester Square Academy principal Marques Rich discovered the deception after finding a Facebook page showing Claassen's photo and a different birthdate. When confronted, she admitted the ruse and claimed a friend forced her to lie to obtain public assistance benefits.
- New York City Public Schools officials stated 'enrollment fraud is a serious crime' and pledged to review verification procedures. Claassen was arraigned and is due back in court on June 15.
- Students on the Bronx campus expressed shock, with one telling News 12, "This is insane. I don't know how they let her in. She's 30 years old, she looks 16, guys." The NYPD is actively investigating the incident.
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AM New YorkReposted by 
Bronx Times
Bronx Times28-year-old woman arrested after allegedly posing as a teen student at Westchester Square Academy
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left11Leaning Right4Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 35%
R 17%
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