Authorities in St. Charles Parish released more details Wednesday about a mother and daughter arrested for using fraudulent paperwork to enroll a 28-year-old in Hahnville High School.
Sheriff Greg Champagne says 46-year-old Marta Elizeth Serrano-Alvarado and 28-year-old Martha Jessenia Gutierrez-Serrano are facing charges for injuring public records. Otherwise, he says they do not suspect there was any criminal intent.
"She was in school. She minded her own business. She did her school work. She caused no trouble. She was not a disciplinary problem. She violated no laws in the community that we had to deal with her," said Champagne. "As far as we know, she did nothing inappropriate at all, merely attended school."
The 28-year-old had been enrolled as a 17-year-old, authorities say, using a fraudulent passport and birth certificate. Champagne says despite raising concerns for parents and the school community, there was no foul play here other than the use of fraudulent documents. He says it was a plan for the daughter to learn English.
"Unfortunately, whether it was her decision or her mother's decision, it's certainly bad judgment to submit a falsified document to the government," Champagne said. "That's a crime."
