An Indiana school superintendent faces multiple charges after she took a student to the doctor and got a prescription filled for him under her own son’s name.
Elwood Community Schools Superintendent Casey Smitherman has admitted to using her son’s name to help the student, and is currently free on bail after surrendering to police. The prescription was filled on Jan. 9, according to WPIX, and she was eventually charged with insurance fraud, identity deception, and official misconduct according to the Associated Press.
In a statement obtained by WPIX, Smitherman said she checked on the student after he missed school and, after realizing he had some symptoms of strep throat, took him to an emergency clinic, where he was refused service, and then another, where she used her own son’s name for the student.
“I knew he did not have insurance, and I wanted to do all I could to help him get well,” Smitherman said in the statement. “I know this action was wrong. In the moment, my only concern was for this child’s health.”
Smitherman had a prescription for Amoxicillin filled under her son’s name for the student, according to multiple reports of the court documents. The total insurance claim was $233, according to the reports.
Smitherman said it was her understanding that “the prosecutor has agreed to a diversion program and that should be finalized yet this afternoon.”
The Elwood school board said in a statement to WPIX that Smitherman “made an unfortunate mistake, but we understand that it was out of concern for this child’s welfare.”
Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings told WXIN: “I think there have to be some consequences but they shouldn’t be career jeopardizing.”