High school sophomore Charity Stevens wasn't who she claimed to be.
It turns out that 15-year-old "Charity Stevens" was actually Charity Anne Johnson, a 31-year-old woman.
Jezebel notes a KLTV report that Johnson enrolled in New Life Christian School in Long View, Texas, in March, posing as Charity Stevens. Before enrolling, Johnson convinced Tamika Lincoln to become her guardian.
Speaking to local station KLTV, Lincoln reported that Johnson claimed to be an orphan and a victim of abuse by her late father. Lincoln took Johnson in and acted as her guardian, enrolling her at the school.
"I just don't know why she did it. Why put yourself and others at risk to do something like this? I have deep concerns about her being who we don't know she is, and then she's out there at the school," Lincoln told KLTV.
Lincoln immediately reported Johnson once she suspected that Johnson was lying about her age.
Lincoln told reporters that the school community was devastated to learn of Johnson's deceit. "Teachers were crying and students were crying, and her best friend just couldn't believe it," she said.
Johnson, who was arrested for failure to identify and giving false information, remains in jail.