On June 12, a bizarre incident unfolded at Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana. A 28-year-old woman named Martha Jessenia Gutierrez-Serrano posed as a 17-year-old student and successfully enrolled in the school. She was accompanied by her mother, Marta Elizeth Serrano-Alvarado. The duo was apprehended and charged with “injuring public records.”
The charge of “injuring public records” in Louisiana refers to the intentional tampering, destruction, or concealment of any record or document filed in a public office. It is a serious offense that can result in severe penalties.
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Gutierrez-Serrano might be an adult posing as a teenager. School administration conducted an internal investigation and notified the sheriff’s office of their findings. It was discovered that Serrano-Alvarado had used a forged passport and birth certificate from Honduras to enroll her daughter in school.
Interestingly, Gutierrez-Serrano had been attending Hahnville High School since June 2022 and had completed the entire 2022-2023 school year without raising any suspicions. She did not participate in any extracurricular activities and had no disciplinary issues. The sheriff’s office confirmed that there was no evidence of any other criminal activity.
When questioned about her motive, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne stated that Gutierrez-Serrano wanted to learn English and become proficient in the language. While there are legal alternatives available to learn English, such as GED and ESL programs, Gutierrez-Serrano resorted to falsifying records, which is highly illegal and unnecessary.
Impersonating teenagers in high schools seems to be a recurring trend. Earlier this year, a junior varsity basketball coach in Portsmouth, Virginia, was fired for attempting to disguise herself as a 13-year-old player and participate in a game. Likewise, a 29-year-old woman with a college degree was arrested in New Jersey after posing as a 15-year-old student at New Brunswick High School.
It is indeed an unusual incident that raises questions about school security and the lengths some individuals go to fulfill personal desires. While Gutierrez-Serrano managed to attend school undetected for an entire academic year, her actions highlight the importance of vigilance and thorough background checks in educational institutions.
Overall, this incident serves as a reminder that deception has consequences, and there are legal avenues available for individuals seeking education and personal growth. The charges against Gutierrez-Serrano and her mother carry significant penalties, demonstrating the seriousness of their actions. It remains to be seen how this case unfolds and what lessons can be learned from it.
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