New York — A 28-year-old woman posed as a New York City high school student for two weeks until teachers became suspicious and police arrested her, according to a criminal complaint.
Cassie Klassen enrolled at Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx on April 13, claiming to be a 16-year-old named Shamara Rashad, according to the complaint prepared by a city police officer.
But police said the school principal found her Facebook page and learned her real name and age. When the manager confronted her, she confirmed she was Rashad and had come to New York from Ohio with her sister, according to the complaint.
But when he showed her a screenshot of her Facebook page, Klassen admitted her truth and said a friend had forced her to lie about her identity to use it to receive more public assistance, the complaint said.
Klassen was charged April 27 with criminal impersonation and trespassing. She appeared in court the next day and was ordered to return on June 15.
A message seeking comment was sent to an email address listed for Claassen in public records. Her attorney, Joseph Hayes Rockman, did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday.
City school officials released a statement about Klassen’s arrest, saying: “Enrollment fraud is a serious crime that fundamentally undermines New York City’s public school values. The NYPD is actively investigating these allegations and will take all appropriate legal action against those responsible. We are providing all necessary and appropriate support to the school community.”
Marquis Rich, principal of Westchester Square Academy, did not immediately respond to a message left for him on the school’s website on Wednesday.
On the day of Klassen’s arrest at the school, everyone there was placed on suspension, meaning they had to remain inside classrooms and offices until the detention was cancelled, according to the student newspaper at another school on the same campus, Bronx River High School.
The newspaper reported that school officials said they would review registration procedures and safeguards to ensure that student information is accurately verified.
Public records and Klassen’s Facebook page show she lived in Hays, Kansas.