Indiana School Superintendent Who Allegedly Used Own Insurance To Cover Sick Student Facing Felony Fraud Charges
Elwood Community Schools Superintendent Casey Smitherman grew concerned about a student who didn't show up for school. When she found him ill, she took him to a clinic to get an antibiotics prescription. The total bill for the treatment was $233. "From the beginning, my ultimate goal has been to provide the best environment for Elwood students’ growth physically, mentally and academically, and I remain focused on that purpose," Smitherman said. She is being put on a pretrial diversion program, and the charges may be expunged from her record.
Nashville Tennessean:
Superintendent Allegedly Used Own Insurance To Help Sick Student
An Indiana school superintendent who allegedly used her own insurance to help a sick student faces multiple charges including insurance fraud. Casey Smitherman — superintendent of Elwood Community Schools in Elwood, Indiana — was booked on charges of insurance fraud, identity deception and official misconduct on Wednesday and later released on bail, according to court records. Smitherman says the charges come after she recently went to the home of a student who had missed school and saw he had symptoms of strep throat. After the student was refused treatment at a clinic, she took him to another one, this time saying he was her son. (Shannon, 1/24)
The Washington Post:
Casey Smitherman: Indiana Superintendent Charged With Insurance Fraud After Trying To Get Sick Student Treatment
The incident occurred on Jan. 9, police said. Smitherman noticed that a 15-year-old student she had helped before — buying clothes for him and helping clean his house, she told police according to an affidavit — had not shown up at school. She did not want to call the state’s Department of Child Services because she was concerned the child would be placed in a foster home, the affidavit said. She took the child, who had a sore throat, to a medical facility and checked him in by using her son’s insurance, for an evaluation under her son’s name. She then drove him to a pharmacy where she had an antibiotics prescription filled for the child, again under her son’s name, court records said, and dropped him back at his house. (Rosenberg and Wootson, 1/24)
The Hill:
School Superintendent Charged With Fraud For Allegedly Using Her Insurance To Help Sick Student
“After one clinic refused to give the boy necessary treatment, I took him to a different clinic and told them he was my son. I knew he did not have insurance, and I wanted to do all I could to help him get well,” she said, according to the court documents. “I know this action was wrong. In the moment, my only concern was for this child’s health.” Smitherman has been charged with official misconduct, insurance fraud, insurance application fraud and identity deception, according to Fox59. Prosecutors have reportedly agreed to let her enter a diversion program and avoid a criminal conviction. (Anapol, 1/24)
