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Indiana mom accused of forgery in son’s school absences

NEW CASTLE, Ind. (AP) – An eastern Indiana woman is facing felony charges after police say she altered and forged doctors’ notes in an effort to excuse some of her son’s repeated school absences.

The Star Press reports 47-year-old Deana L. Murphy of New Castle was arrested Friday on two counts of forgery. The charges carry a maximum 30-month prison term.

Murphy had already faced a misdemeanor charge of violating compulsory school attendance laws. That charge carried a maximum 180-day jail term.

Court documents show Murphy’s 11-year-old son had missed 19 days of classes at Tri Elementary School as of Dec. 4.

The documents say Murphy altered the date on one doctor’s return-to-school note and fabricated another.

A call to Murphy’s home seeking comment was not answered Wednesday.