Police: Mother Stole 5-Year-Old Daughter’s Identity

POSTED: 1:09 am EDT April 8, 2008

NEW CARLISLE, Oh -- Investigators said it was a case unlike any other they’ve seen. A New Carlisle woman is accused of stealing her 5-year-old daughter’s identity and using it multiple times.“Whether it’s opening a line of credit to get credit cards, or basically stealing, it’s a pretty desperate situation,” said Sgt. Dustin White, of the Clark County sheriff’s department.Tonya Michelle Lee, 35, was arrested on Monday and charged with one count of identity fraud. Investigators said she assumed her daughter’s identity in 2005 and used it in several different counties. They would not elaborate on what exactly Lee allegedly did with her daughter’s identity.Neighbors who live near Lee said they were shocked by the news.“You wouldn’t think the mother of their child would use their own kids identity,” said Frank Brest of New Carlisle.Lee is set to be arraigned on Tuesday in Clark County Municipal Court.The child is staying with her biological father in another county.