Local Mom Embroiled in $61K Scheme to Defraud Philly Schools
Laurel Schullere, a mother of two children enrolled in Philadelphia schools, has been charged with stealing over $61,000 from the School District, meant for her kids' therapeutic care. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office alleges that Schullere misrepresented the services provided by her own business, Missing Pieces, to the district.
Over a period of nine years, the school district paid out more than $61,000 to Schullere, who received these funds but failed to redirect them to Missing Pieces. Instead, investigators found that the company had two addresses listed – one at an abandoned property and another at a church – raising suspicions about its legitimacy.
Schullere allegedly exploited the trust placed in her by the district, claiming that Missing Pieces provided essential care for her children. However, authorities have now revealed no evidence of the company's operational existence or any actual provision of services to the children.
Laurel Schullere turned herself in to authorities on Wednesday, facing charges of theft by deception and other related crimes. Attorney General Dave Sunday condemned the mother's actions, stating that she "misled the district and pocketed taxpayer dollars" meant for her children's well-being.
Laurel Schullere, a mother of two children enrolled in Philadelphia schools, has been charged with stealing over $61,000 from the School District, meant for her kids' therapeutic care. The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office alleges that Schullere misrepresented the services provided by her own business, Missing Pieces, to the district.
Over a period of nine years, the school district paid out more than $61,000 to Schullere, who received these funds but failed to redirect them to Missing Pieces. Instead, investigators found that the company had two addresses listed – one at an abandoned property and another at a church – raising suspicions about its legitimacy.
Schullere allegedly exploited the trust placed in her by the district, claiming that Missing Pieces provided essential care for her children. However, authorities have now revealed no evidence of the company's operational existence or any actual provision of services to the children.
Laurel Schullere turned herself in to authorities on Wednesday, facing charges of theft by deception and other related crimes. Attorney General Dave Sunday condemned the mother's actions, stating that she "misled the district and pocketed taxpayer dollars" meant for her children's well-being.
this is just crazy - a mom scammers her own kids' school out of $61K! what was she even thinking? 
i mean, i know we all need to make ends meet, but come on! that's like stealing from your own family. and now the school has to pick up the tab because one mom got greedy 
. gotta be a hard pill to swallow for those teachers and staff who are just trying to do their job 
I was watching a documentary on the old-school lunch ladies from back in the day, they were so selfless and kind... I mean, what would these moms do to get money for their kids? I guess some people just can't be trusted, you know? It's like when I saw that old episode of 'Leave it to Beaver' where Wally Beav was always coming up with crazy schemes... I wonder if this lady's kids even got the therapy they needed 
The school district trusted her completely, and she just used their good faith to swindle them out of over $61k. It's not exactly a huge amount when you're talking about millions of dollars that could have gone to actual kids who need help.
. I mean, come on! $61K is a huge amount of money, and someone just decides to take it from the school system and use it for their own gain? It's crazy! And what's even more disturbing is that they were supposed to be providing some kind of therapeutic care for her kids, but there was no actual service being provided 
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... I mean, a mom scams her own kids out of like 61k? That's just crazy talk 
. She had the nerve to pretend Missing Pieces was some legit therapy thingy and get paid by the school district, meanwhile she was just lining her pockets. No wonder they didn't actually provide any services to her kiddos, because there weren't any 
. And to think she got away with $61k from the district... that's just insane 
. I feel bad for the other families who might have been misled by her claims 
. At least she turned herself in now, so that's a good thing 
. But seriously, let's all be mindful of what we do and not take advantage of people's kindness or trust 
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like, the school district trusted her so much and she just used that trust to scam them out of all that cash. that's just crazy talk. i feel bad for the kids who were supposed to get help from Missing Pieces but now they're left with nothin 
. It's heartening to see authorities taking action, but one can't help but wonder how many other similar cases may have gone undetected 
. I know the district trusted her as a mom, but that doesn't excuse her actions, no way. It's all about the Benjamins, if you ask me 
This whole thing is just too fishy for my taste 
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. the thing is, her actions are not only harming her own children (who might not even have received any actual care) but also the trust placed in mom-type figures everywhere... i guess you could say she's teaching us all a lesson about being more vigilant and questioning those who are supposed to have our backs 
. I think the school district was trying to do what they thought was best for the kids, but I guess they should've been more careful about vetting the companies they work with 
. It's just a shame that Laurel's actions will now lead to her losing her freedom and reputation 
...