Muncie woman sentenced for stealing $200K in benefits from disabled son, 3 other children
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — A Muncie woman was sentenced Friday for stealing nearly $200,000 in government assistance funds meant for her severely autistic son and three other children, according to prosecutors.
Kimberly Harper, 55, was sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison.
Prosecutors say Harper refused to care for her toddler children in the early 1990s and handed them off to her parents. Despite no longer caring for him, she applied for Social Security disability benefits for her autistic son and spent the money on herself, according to prosecutors.
She also received funds meant for her children from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and food stamps from the Indiana Family Social Services Administration.
“For over 20 years, Harper did not raise or support her children,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. “Instead, she stole from them – including her son who was born with a severe mental disability. This money was meant for the care of her children and she selfishly spent it on herself.”
In total, according to prosecutors, Harper kept nearly $200,000 in benefits meant for her children over the course of more than two decades.
When Harper’s father, who was caring for her disabled son, attempted to receive Social Security funds, Harper insisted the boy had never been out of her care and demanded to continue receiving benefits, prosecutors say.
