An Elwood superintendent Concern for student's health earned her multiple charges including fraud after using her son's insurance card to get medicine for a sick student.
Casey Smitherman of the Elwood Community Schools was charged with insurance fraud, identity deception, and official misconduct. A warrant was issued for her arrest, the records show. The Associated Press reported she is free on bail.
Smitherman said she became worried about the 15-year-old student when he missed school on Jan. 9, according to court documents.
"After making sure he had eaten, I could tell he had some of the symptoms of strep throat," Smitherman said in the statement. "As a parent, I know how serious this illness can be if left untreated, and I took him to an emergency clinic."
She acknowledged taking the teen to St. Vincent Immediate Care and getting a prescription for an antibiotic in her son's name.
"I know this action was wrong," Smitherman said. "At the moment, my only concern was for this child’s health."
Smitherman told police she and her husband had previously helped the boy by buying him clothes, Christmas gifts, and food, the court papers said. The student lives with an elderly family who doesn't have a car and has limited resources.
Smitherman says the school board has been very supportive through all of this.
The case has been settled as the district attorney's office promised Smitherman to dismiss the charges if there are no further arrests in the coming year.
