Shelby Hewitt Indicted for Posing as a Boston Public Schools Student
by Patrick Wilson
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – A 32-year-old woman was indicted on Monday by a Suffolk County grand jury on nine counts, including forgery and identity fraud, for posing as a Boston public high school student last year.
Shelby Hewitt was initially charged in West Roxbury Municipal Court on several counts. She allegedly used false paperwork to enroll in three Boston public schools under different pseudonyms. She reportedly attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School, and English High School during the 2022-2023 school year.
Hewitt’s alleged deception came to light in June 2023 when a man posing as her foster parent tried withdrawing her from English High School after being there for only a week. School officials became suspicious and contacted the Department of Children and Families (DCF), who confirmed that Hewitt was not a foster child.
Investigators later discovered that Hewitt had also forged documents from DCF and other agencies in order to enroll in the other schools. She is also accused of using a fake Social Security number and a stolen identity to obtain student loans and other benefits.
Hewitt was arraigned on the new charges in Suffolk Superior Court on Monday. She is currently out on bail and is scheduled to return to court in December.
The case has raised concerns about the security measures in place at Boston Public Schools. Superintendent Mary Skipper has said that the district is reviewing its enrollment procedures in light of Hewitt’s case.
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