Teachers receive plenty of questionable sick notes from students. Authorities in Pennsylvania say one special-education teacher has been dishing them out.
Police believe Middletown educator Leslie Herneisey, 51, lied about tumors and cancer for more than a decade so she could skip work.
Herneisey began accruing sick leave by allegedly claiming she had a brain tumor, then asked for eight weeks off while she supposedly underwent chemotherapy for an inoperable form of brain cancer.
At first, the middle school teacher's co-workers were supportive, submitting an application for the Make-A-Wish Foundation (which was rejected over questions about her medical record), then raising cash so Herneisey could take a free trip to Disney World.
Suspicions arose when Herneisey didn't appear to exhibit any symptoms.
After determining that Herneisey's medical records lacked official letterhead, school district officials contacted the neurosurgeon whose signature appears on her documents. He reportedly stated he hadn't treated the suspect.
The three-time nominee for Pennsylvania's teacher of the year resigned in May and was arrested last week, charged with 12 felony counts of forgery.
Police believe Middletown educator Leslie Herneisey, 51, lied about tumors and cancer for more than a decade so she could skip work.
Herneisey began accruing sick leave by allegedly claiming she had a brain tumor, then asked for eight weeks off while she supposedly underwent chemotherapy for an inoperable form of brain cancer.
At first, the middle school teacher's co-workers were supportive, submitting an application for the Make-A-Wish Foundation (which was rejected over questions about her medical record), then raising cash so Herneisey could take a free trip to Disney World.
Suspicions arose when Herneisey didn't appear to exhibit any symptoms.
After determining that Herneisey's medical records lacked official letterhead, school district officials contacted the neurosurgeon whose signature appears on her documents. He reportedly stated he hadn't treated the suspect.
The three-time nominee for Pennsylvania's teacher of the year resigned in May and was arrested last week, charged with 12 felony counts of forgery.
