Woman Pleads Guilty in Boston High School Impersonation Case

Boston, Massachusetts, February 4, 2026

Shelby Hewitt, 34, has pleaded guilty to charges of impersonating a high school student in Boston. The case drew significant public attention as she used forged identities to enroll in multiple schools. Hewitt’s actions were uncovered after irregularities in her paperwork raised suspicions, leading to a court case where she received four years of probation and additional stipulations. The incident highlights the need for better institutional safeguards within educational systems.

Boston

Woman Pleads Guilty in Boston High School Impersonation Case

In a development that brings a quiet conclusion to a deeply unusual chapter, Shelby Hewitt, a 34-year-old woman accused of posing as a high school student in Boston, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to several charges stemming from the multifaceted case. The plea was entered in Suffolk Superior Court, just days before her jury trial was slated to begin, marking a resolution to the intricate matter that drew considerable public attention.

The proceedings revealed a narrative where Ms. Hewitt, at the age of 32, allegedly enrolled herself in multiple Boston public high schools, navigating the complex world of teenage academia while in her early thirties. This undertaking, which unfolded between 2021 and 2023, involved the use of forged documents and assumed identities, creating a carefully constructed illusion within the educational system.

Details of the Plea and Charges

Ms. Hewitt pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery, one count of identity fraud, and one count of false claim to an employer. Under the terms of the plea agreement, she will serve four years of probation and is required to pay more than $9,000 in restitution. The court also stipulated that she must adhere to her prescribed medication regimen and refrain from entering Boston public schools. This outcome reflects a considered approach to accountability, seeking both consequence and a pathway for future stability.

The charges emerged from allegations that Ms. Hewitt used fake names and birthdates to gain admittance to classes. During the 2022-2023 academic year, she attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School, and English High School. Prosecutors further detailed that she employed aliases such as Daniella Herrera and Ellie Blake to facilitate her enrollment. Disturbingly, it was also revealed that she, at one point, utilized the genuine identity of a child who was under state care. The depth of this deception extended to her alleged creation of fictitious Department of Children and Families (DCF) counselors, complete with phony email addresses established through a privately purchased web domain.

Background and Context of the Case

The unmasking of the deception began when the principal of English High School noted irregularities in a student’s paperwork, prompting an investigation by Boston police and the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office. The Department of Children and Families form submitted by Ms. Hewitt reportedly contained misspellings, an incorrect phone number, and referenced a social worker who did not exist. Such details suggest a meticulous, yet ultimately flawed, attempt to bypass institutional safeguards.

At the time of these events, Ms. Hewitt was employed as a social worker for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, having worked there during various periods, including December 2021 through February 2023. Her professional role as a social worker, tasked with the welfare of children, adds another layer of gravity to her actions, inviting a somber reflection on the trust inherent in such positions and the profound disappointment felt when that trust is compromised.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Ms. Hewitt’s attorney has consistently highlighted her struggles with significant mental health challenges, suggesting these issues played a role in the unfolding events. The case had encountered delays in the past, attributed to these same mental health considerations. While the legal process concludes with this plea, the human dimensions of this story—the search for belonging, the intricate pathways of personal distress, and the institutional vulnerabilities laid bare—invite a pause for broader understanding and a quiet hope for healing.

A prior attempt at a plea deal in July 2025 did not materialize, leading to the scheduling of the trial that was ultimately averted by this week’s agreement. The resolution now directs focus toward the rehabilitative aspects of her sentence, aiming to address the underlying complexities that contributed to these remarkable circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Shelby Hewitt?

  Shelby Hewitt is a 34-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to charges of posing as a high school student in Boston.

• What charges did Shelby Hewitt plead guilty to?

  Shelby Hewitt pleaded guilty to three counts of forgery, one count of identity fraud, and one count of false claim to an employer.

• What was the outcome of her plea deal?

  As part of her plea deal, Shelby Hewitt will serve four years of probation and is required to pay more than $9,000 in restitution. She must also stay on her medication and away from Boston public schools.

• How old was Shelby Hewitt when she enrolled in high school?

  Shelby Hewitt was 32 years old when she enrolled in multiple Boston public high schools.

• Which Boston high schools did Shelby Hewitt attend?

  Shelby Hewitt attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School, and English High School.

• How did Shelby Hewitt manage to enroll in high school?

  Shelby Hewitt used fake names, fake birthdates, forged documents, and created fake Department of Children and Families (DCF) counselors to enroll. She also allegedly used the identity of a child in state custody.

• What was Shelby Hewitt’s profession?

  Shelby Hewitt was a former social worker for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Key Features of the Case

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Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.