May 2nd 2024.
Shelby Hewitt, a 32-year-old woman, has been accused of posing as a troubled 13-year-old girl for several months. It's a bizarre situation that has left many questioning her motives. Some have even labeled her as a "millionaire" social worker due to her alleged actions.
It all started when Hewitt, who also goes by the names "Ellie Blake" and "Daniella Blake Herrera", enrolled herself in three different schools in Boston, Massachusetts. She somehow convinced her therapist and partner to become her foster parents, claiming that she was a victim of child trafficking and suffered from a genetic condition that made her look older.
However, the truth behind her actions remains a mystery. Some speculate that it may have something to do with an inheritance left to her by her mother and grandfather, which is estimated to be around $1 million. But the real reason behind her alleged fraud is still unclear.
Hewitt's deceit was only discovered when her classmates, who were nearly 20 years younger than her, started bullying her for looking like she was in her 30s. This led to one of her classmates, Janell Lamons, confronting her and asking why she did it. Hewitt, who had already pled guilty to criminal forgery and identity fraud, remained silent, with her lawyers advising her to keep quiet.
However, she did tell the Boston Globe that there was a reason behind her masquerade as a troubled teen and that it would eventually come out in time. But her actions have left many feeling betrayed and confused, including Lamons, who considered Hewitt a friend.
According to prosecutors, Hewitt graduated with a master's degree in school counseling in 2016 and worked at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for two years before quitting her $50,000 job. She then posed as a DCF worker by creating a fake email address and even enrolled herself in a treatment center and two different schools.
Her alleged fraudulent activities were only uncovered when Michelle Delfi, the girl's state social worker, noticed that she was being teased by actual teenagers. Despite Hewitt's efforts to appear younger with braces and a ponytail, her classmates were not convinced. Delfi also noticed that Hewitt was sensitive about people commenting on her appearance, which raised some suspicions.
School officials eventually caught on and discovered that Delfi's email address didn't match the DCF's records, and they couldn't find Hewitt's birth certificate. Police were then called, and Hewitt was arrested in June 2023.
It was later revealed that Hewitt had been living a double life, working as a social worker and even buying a $350,000 apartment in cash while attending school and playing on the girls' basketball team. This elaborate deception shocked many, including Robin Williams, Lamons' mother, who was unaware that her daughter's classmate was a 32-year-old woman.
Hewitt has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including document forgery, identity fraud, and larceny. Her alleged actions have caused confusion, betrayal, and fear among those who were involved in her deception. The true reasons behind her actions may never be fully understood, but one thing is for sure, it has left a lasting impact on those involved.
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