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28-year-old woman posed as teen student at Bronx high school, prosecutors say
By
Jessica Gould
Published May 6, 2026
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By
Jessica Gould
Published May 6, 2026
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A 28-year-old woman posed as a Bronx high school student for two weeks, attending classes using a fake name, prosecutors allege.
Kacy Claassen enrolled at Westchester Square Academy on April 13 under the name Shamara Rashad, telling Principal Marques Rich that she was just 16 and came to New York from Ohio with her sister, according to a criminal complaint charging her with criminal impersonation and trespass.
She pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors say the principal eventually saw a screenshot of Claassen’s Facebook page, which included her real name and real date of birth. He then confronted Claassen, who allegedly copped to the con. “I lied about my identity because my friend forced me to. She was using me to receive more public assistance,” she said, according to the complaint.
It was unclear what type of benefits she might have been referencing.
Her attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The NYPD says police responded to a 911 call from the school on April 27 for possible identity theft and detained Claassen without incident.
While the events may prompt comparisons to comedies like “Never Been Kissed” and “Billy Madison,” education department spokesperson Isla Gething underscored the gravity of the charges.
“Enrollment fraud is a serious crime that fundamentally undermines New York City Public School values,” she said. “We are providing all necessary and suitable support to the school community.”
Teen journalists at Bronx River High School, which is co-located with Westchester Square, interviewed the fake student’s classmates, who said she made them feel “uncomfortable.” The high school journalists report the campus was temporarily placed “on hold,” with students required to remain in their classrooms, during the arrest.
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Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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