Adult allegedly enrolls in White Bear Lake High School using false identity

Fraudulent student at White Bear Lake High School

Families at White Bear Lake High School are outraged after finding out that someone enrolled at the school was not who he claimed to be.

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (FOX 9) - School officials are investigating after an adult appeared to have fraudulently enrolled as a student at White Bear Lake Area High School.

Adult enrolls as a student

What we know:

Principal Russell Reetz informed families about the incident in an email, explaining that the district received reports of someone over the age of 21 enrolled in the school.

The preliminary investigation found that the individual appeared to use fraudulent documentation under a false identity to enroll. The person is now in custody, and is prohibited from entering any district property, according to the email sent on Tuesday. 

"Please rest assured that the safety and well-being of all students is our top priority. I am grateful to the staff members, families and students who saw something and decided to report it," Principal Reetz said in the email. "These reports led to our investigation. We take all concerns seriously, and appropriate steps are taken any time there is a potential threat to student safety." 

What we don't know:

Details regarding the individuals' age and the length of their enrollment were not disclosed. 

School officials did not specify if the person’s arrest was due to fraudulent enrollment or an unrelated issue. 

Calls for action 

What they're saying:

State Rep. Elliott Engen called for Superintendent Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak to resign over reports of a 22-year-old posing as a 17-year-old student at White Bear Lake Area High School. 

"This breach not only allowed the perpetrator to commit illegal sexual acts against a minor, but also exposed countless students to unnecessary danger, undermining the trust families place in our public education system," a letter on Tuesday said, adding, "The safety of our students must always come first, and anything less is a betrayal of public trust. Considering these failures, I am calling for your immediate resignation as Superintendent of White Bear Lake Area Schools."  

Parents told FOX 9 they believe the man may have been preying on female students, and are demanding accountability from school leaders.

"They just feel very unsafe, and they were really hurt by it. I think we’ll be having some pretty tough conversations. Everyone is so afraid for our kids’ safety," April Jorgenson, a parent of three, told FOX 9. "There is no explanation for how this man got into our schools. He was allowed in the locker room with the football players. He was allowed in activities with these kids and just so many safeguards were missed."

School officials and police have not pubically identified the person involved or shared details about their time as a student.

The incident remains under investigation. 

Adult enrolled as student at White Bear Lake High School

An investigation is underway at White Bear Lake Area High School for an adult who allegedly enrolled as a student using fraudulent documents and a false identity.