A 28-year-old woman has been taken into custody after allegedly posing as a high school student and attending classes at a New York City educational institution. Kacy Claassen enrolled at Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx on April 13 under the alias “Shamara Rashad,” according to authorities.
Claassen reportedly used a false birthdate to present herself as a 16-year-old and claimed she had relocated to New York from Ohio with her sister, as detailed in a criminal complaint obtained by News 12. Suspicion arose when the school’s principal discovered a Facebook page bearing Claassen’s photograph but listing a different birth date, prompting an investigation.
After being confronted, Claassen admitted her true identity and age to the principal, asserting that a friend had coerced her into lying to obtain public assistance benefits. She was arrested on Monday afternoon at the Herbert H. Lehman High School campus, which houses six schools including Westchester Square Academy.
The New York Police Department confirmed that Claassen faces charges including endangering the welfare of a child, criminal impersonation, possession of a forged instrument, and criminal trespassing. New York City Public Schools issued a statement emphasizing that enrollment fraud is a serious crime undermining the values of the school system and that the NYPD is actively investigating.
Students at the Bronx campus expressed shock and concern. One student remarked to News 12, “That really puts a danger to our school,” while another added, “This is insane. I don’t know how they let her in. She’s 30 years old, she looks 16, guys. Be careful, and check IDs.” Claassen, who has no prior criminal record, is not currently in custody but is scheduled to appear in court on June 15.
