34-Year-Old Woman Pleads Guilty to Charges for Posing as High School Student in Boston

Shelby Hewitt enrolled in multiple Boston high schools while claiming to be as young as 13 years old.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A 34-year-old woman named Shelby Hewitt has pleaded guilty to charges after being accused of posing as a teenage foster child to enroll in several Boston high schools, including English High School in Jamaica Plain and Burke High School in Dorchester, in 2022.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about school security and enrollment procedures, as well as the potential risks and motivations behind an adult posing as a minor student. It raises questions about how such incidents can be prevented in the future to protect the safety and well-being of actual students.

The details

Hewitt enrolled in three Boston high schools and claimed to be as young as 13 years old. She was charged with five counts of felony forgery, identity fraud, larceny over $1,200, and public employee standards of conduct violations.

  • Hewitt enrolled in Boston high schools in 2022.
  • Hewitt pleaded guilty to the charges on February 3, 2026.

The players

Shelby Hewitt

A 34-year-old woman who posed as a teenage foster child to enroll in several Boston high schools.

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What’s next

The judge will determine Hewitt's sentencing at a later date.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for schools to have robust enrollment verification procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future and protect the safety and well-being of their student populations.