A row has broken out in Minnesota after a 22-year-old man allegedly used fake documents to enrol as a student at a high school. Kelvin Luebke is said to have posed as a 17-year-old named 'KJ Perry' and even played on the school's football team before being caught.
White Bear Lake Area Schools confirmed that the suspect used fraudulent documents and a fake ID to gain admission. The district said it followed standard enrolment procedures, which include verification of birth certificates, residency documents and immunisation records.
Police are investigating possible charges of fraud, forgery and unlawful contact with minors. Luebke is currently being held in Washington County Jail on unrelated charges. Students at the school told local media they believed he was 17 and a senior cornerback for the team.
State Representative Elliott Engen, whose younger brother is a senior at the school, called the incident a 'system-wide failure' and demanded the immediate resignation of district superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. 'This comes down to failed leadership,' Engen said. However, another lawmaker, State Representative Brian Curran, urged caution, placing responsibility squarely on the suspect.
Parents have expressed anger and concern. One mother, Brittany, told KARE11 that 'parents and the children need some form of explanation' and that the incident has left her questioning whether her children are safe at school. Engen has vowed to use the breach as a catalyst for reviewing school enrolment procedures and safety protocols in the state legislature.
