A 28-year-old woman allegedly posed as a 16-year-old student at a New York City high school and was only caught after a very skeptical principal found out who she really was on Facebook, police said.
Kacy Claassen was arrested on April 27 at the Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx after NYPD officers responded to a call over possible identity theft, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox 5.
Claassen enrolled as a student at the school on April 13, claiming to be a teenager named Shamara Rashad, according to the complaint.
School officials eventually grew suspicious over her identity after discovering a Facebook profile that appeared to belong to the woman and showed her real name and age, according to the complaint.
When confronted about their doubts, Claassen reportedly told staff that she was Rashad and that she had moved to the Big Apple from Ohio with her sister, the document detailed.woman
Despite her denial, the school’s principal, Marques Rich, continued to quiz Claassen by showing her a screenshot of her social media profile, leading her to admit that she faked her identity because a friend pressured her to do so, so she could receive more public assistance benefits, the complaint stated.
On the day of her arrest, the campus was placed on a temporary lockdown, according to Bronx River News, the student paper for Bronx River High School. The school shares the same campus as Westchester Square Academy.
Students at the school were also suspicious of Claassen, who reportedly made them ‘uncomfortable’ after telling the minors about ‘hiding bodies,’ the outlet said.
Kacy Claassen, 28, was arrested on April 27 for allegedly posing as a 16-year-old student named Shamara Rashad at Westchester Square Academy in the Bronx
School officials eventually grew suspicious over her identity after discovering a Facebook profile that appeared to belong to the woman, showing her real name and age, according to a criminal complaint. (Pictured: Westchester Square Academy)
She was pictured being escorted out of the school by officers with her hands behind her back, wearing a plaid skirt and a black jacket.
‘School is supposed to be the safest place besides home,’ a woman, who was not named, told Bronx River News.
She added: ‘If we can’t guarantee safety then what can we guarantee?’
Claassen has been charged with criminal impersonation and trespassing, according to court records reviewed by the Daily Mail.
She appeared in court on April 28 and pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, and is due back on June 15, records show.
Following Claassen’s arrest, New York City public schools released a statement that read: ‘Enrollment fraud is a serious crime that fundamentally undermines New York City Public School values.
She was pictured being escorted out of the school by officers with her hands behind her back, wearing a plaid skirt and a black jacket
The school’s principal, Marques Rich (pictured), continued to quiz Claassen by showing her a screenshot of the social media profile, leading her to admit that she faked her identity
‘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.’
The Daily Mail contacted Claassen over the phone, on social media, and on email, but has not heard back.
She is being represented by public defender Joseph Hayes Rochman, who works for The Bronx Defenders.
When contacted for comment by the Daily Mail, a member of the firm said: ‘Our client has not given us permission to speak with the press, so per our protocols, we cannot comment on or off-the-record at this time.’
The Daily Mail also reached out to Rich for comment.
