Final pretrial hearing set as ex-social worker faces trial for posing as Boston student

Case heads toward a Suffolk Superior Court jury trial scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026

A former Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) social worker is due in Suffolk Superior Court on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, for a final pretrial hearing in a case that drew national attention after prosecutors alleged she posed as a teenager to enroll in Boston Public Schools.

The defendant, Shelby Hewitt, has pleaded not guilty to fraud and forgery-related charges tied to allegations that she enrolled in multiple Boston public high schools during the 2022–2023 academic year while using false names and dates of birth. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.

What prosecutors allege happened in Boston schools

Prosecutors have alleged that Hewitt, who was in her early 30s at the time, created a set of identities and documents to present herself as a student, at times claiming to be as young as 13. Authorities have said she attended classes at Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, Brighton High School, and English High School, using aliases that included “Daniella Herrera” and “Ellie Blake.”

Investigators have also alleged that the scheme relied on forged paperwork and invented personas, including fictitious DCF social workers used to support the enrollment narrative. The case escalated from municipal court proceedings to Superior Court after a grand jury indictment expanded the matter and added charges.

• Schools involved: Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School, and English High School
• Time frame cited by prosecutors: the 2022–2023 school year, ending in June 2023
• Core allegations: identity fraud, document forgery, and use of false or forged records

Charges and the shift to Superior Court

Hewitt was first charged in 2023 and later indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury, moving the case into Suffolk Superior Court. Court filings and prior hearings have outlined charges that include multiple counts of forgery and related offenses, as well as allegations connected to her status as a public employee at the time.

Hewitt has remained out on bail while the case has proceeded. In mid-2025, the case appeared to be moving toward a negotiated resolution, but a plea agreement was not finalized and the matter was set for trial.

What to watch at the Feb. 3 hearing

Final pretrial hearings typically address trial readiness and legal disputes that can shape what jurors ultimately hear. Potential issues can include the admissibility of documents and communications, witness lists, scheduling, and the scope of testimony about the alleged use of false identities within school and state systems.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty, and the charges remain allegations that prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The Feb. 9, 2026 trial date places the next major milestone in the case less than a week after Tuesday’s hearing.