How Could You? Hall of Shame-Colleen M. Henderson

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Amesbury, Massachusetts, ” Colleen M. Henderson, 43, of South Hunt Road, admitted to sufficient facts that she committed identify fraud and larceny over $250.”

“An Amesbury mother was ordered to pay back her one-time foster daughter more than $3,000 after using her name to open two National Grid accounts without her knowledge.”

“Judge Allen Swan sentenced her to a year in a house of correction with all jail time suspended for three years while she is on probation. Henderson was also ordered to pay $3,316 in restitution to her victim as well as stay away from her and clear up her credit history, according to court records.

According to Amesbury police officer Thomas Hanshaw’s report, the victim told him last November that she received a call from a debt collector saying she owed the electricity and natural gas provider National Grid $1,361 for an unpaid electricity bill at a Collins Street address. The services began in December 2012 under the victim’s name and continued until the account was terminated in June 2014.

The victim also learned that a separate natural gas National Grid account had been opened under her name at the same address and that she owed $1,954. That service began in February 2013 and ended in June 2014.

The victim told Hanshaw her former foster mother had lived at that address at one point and that the two had a falling out. She also told Hanshaw that Henderson had access to enough of her personal information to open accounts under her name.

Hanshaw then contacted Henderson in February. She told the officer that she would take care of the matter. The victim told Hanshaw that as long as Henderson followed through, she would not seek legal action in court.

But by April, Henderson had done nothing to rectify the situation, prompting the victim to ask for charges to be filed against her former foster mother. The victim also told Hanshaw that as a result of the non-payment of the accounts, her credit rating had taken a direct hit.

Henderson called Hanshaw and apologized for not taking care of the delinquent and fraudulent bills, saying she “was real busy at the time of my request.” Hanshaw said that she had lost credibility in his eyes and then asked why she set up the bogus accounts in the first place. ”

 

Police: Amesbury woman stole from former foster child[Newbury Port News 10/30/15 by Dave Rogers]

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