Philly School District's Trust Shattered as Mom Faces Charges for Stealing $61,000 in Funds Intended for Therapeutic Care of Her Children.
A local mother is now facing criminal charges after allegedly swindling the Philadelphia school district out of a substantial amount - over $61,000. The theft occurred while her children were enrolled in city schools requiring specialized care.
According to authorities, Laurel Schullere, the mother at the center of this scandal, had two kids attending Philadelphia schools who needed therapeutic services. However, instead of disclosing her personal involvement, she claimed that a local business called Missing Pieces was responsible for providing the required care. Unbeknownst to the school district, Missing Pieces did not exist and was merely a shell company set up by Schullere herself.
Over a period of nine years, the Philadelphia School District sent over $61,000 in payments to Schullere, which she received but allegedly failed to forward to Missing Pieces. Investigators discovered that only two addresses were listed for the non-existent business - one abandoned property and another belonging to a church.
"This defendant exploited a system designed to help her own children grow and succeed," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday in a statement. "Instead of ensuring her children received the care they needed, she misled the district and pocketed taxpayer dollars."
Schullere turned herself into authorities on Wednesday. She is now facing charges related to theft by deception and other crimes connected to this alleged scheme.
The school district's trust was shattered when it discovered that Schullere had connived a system designed to provide her children with necessary care, instead using the funds for personal gain.
A local mother is now facing criminal charges after allegedly swindling the Philadelphia school district out of a substantial amount - over $61,000. The theft occurred while her children were enrolled in city schools requiring specialized care.
According to authorities, Laurel Schullere, the mother at the center of this scandal, had two kids attending Philadelphia schools who needed therapeutic services. However, instead of disclosing her personal involvement, she claimed that a local business called Missing Pieces was responsible for providing the required care. Unbeknownst to the school district, Missing Pieces did not exist and was merely a shell company set up by Schullere herself.
Over a period of nine years, the Philadelphia School District sent over $61,000 in payments to Schullere, which she received but allegedly failed to forward to Missing Pieces. Investigators discovered that only two addresses were listed for the non-existent business - one abandoned property and another belonging to a church.
"This defendant exploited a system designed to help her own children grow and succeed," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday in a statement. "Instead of ensuring her children received the care they needed, she misled the district and pocketed taxpayer dollars."
Schullere turned herself into authorities on Wednesday. She is now facing charges related to theft by deception and other crimes connected to this alleged scheme.
The school district's trust was shattered when it discovered that Schullere had connived a system designed to provide her children with necessary care, instead using the funds for personal gain.
omg is this real life? like how can someone just steal that much money from their kids supposed therapy fund?! 
it's so messed up that she set up a fake company and lied to get all those funds... what was going through her mind?! 
the fact that she used taxpayer dollars for her own gain is just crazy 
and now she's facing charges for theft by deception 
I hope she gets the help she needs, not just punishment 
She basically stole $61k meant for her kids' therapeutic care and used it for herself. And to make matters worse, she set up a fake company to cover her tracks. Like, what's wrong with people? 
The school district trusted her and gave her all that cash thinking she was doing the right thing by her kids... now they're left out of luck because of her greed. 
, this is just crazy! I mean, I get it, as a parent you want what's best for your kids and all that, but come on... setting up a fake company to scam the school district out of $61k? 
. I feel bad for the school district too, they must be going crazy trying to figure out what happened with all those payments. This lady's trust is definitely shattered 
.
! Over 9 years and $61k gone in one fell swoop... that's like a school bus full of cash just disappearing. And what really gets me is the fact that it was for her own kids' care, but she played them like they were nobody's business. 24% of parents do this exact thing 
i mean what's next, gonna start a business called 'Missing Pieces' and get paid for doing nothing 
. Now shes facin charges and im just like "yaaas justice" 
This is just mind-blowing! Like, I'm so disappointed in mom Laurel Schullere - how could she do this? 
The fact that she was supposed to be getting help for her kids' therapy and she's just stealing from the system is just sick 
. And how long did it take them to figure out she wasn't sending the money to Missing Pieces? 9 years?! That's like, forever 
. Anyway, I hope she gets what's coming to her and those poor kids get the help they need ASAP 
and highkey ruined the trust of an entire school district 
. The school district trusted her and sent over $61,000... wow, what a mistake 
(in a bad way). I don't get why she thought she could get away with it for so long 
. It's all about accountability and making sure funds are used for the kids, not for personal gain 
.
still can't believe she set up a fake company and got away with it for so long tho 
Let's hope the kids get the care they deserve soon 