June 26, 2009
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News: Winnipeg Woman Stole Mother's Identity
A Winnipeg mother who is in the middle of a bizarre custody battle has been arrested on credit card fraud. The woman who was previously accused for sending her child to school with racial markings on her body is in a battle with the Manitoba Child and Family Services who has petitioned for permanent guardianship of her two children. The woman along with her ex-husband have been accused of exposing the children to racist teachings, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and physical abuse. The woman, whose name cannot be revealed for the protection of the children, was arrested on two counts of credit card theft, two counts of impersonation, and one count of mail theft. According to the woman's mother, the accused opened up a Capital One credit card account under the mother's name without her permission. Within three months of opening the account, the accused ran the bill up to $22,000 and has defaulted on payment. The accused woman's mother testified in court at a custody hearing that she was forced to file identity theft charges against her daughter in order to avoid being held responsible for the $22,000.
The woman appeared in court at the custody hearing while in shackles because of her arrest on the credit card fraud. She testified that she felt her children would be better off at this time to remain in the hands of foster care because the father of her son and step-father of her daughter who was fighting the Family Services for custody was unstable and suicidal. She also said he has an alcohol problem placing the children in danger. She then testified that it was her husband who was responsible for the huge credit card debt by racking up $17,000 in charges while she was out of the country.
The hearing will continue on the custody battle while the woman will also be facing the credit card fraud charges in another Canadian court. The date has not been announced when she will be facing those charges. The hearing for custody is scheduled to continue June 29th.