NY woman admits to stealing her child’s social security benefits after they were removed from her custody

BINGHAMTON , N.Y. (1010 WINS) — An upstate New York woman pleaded guilty on Thursday to multiple charges of social security fraud, for receiving thousands in social security benefits intended for her child after they had been removed from her custody.

As part of her guilty plea Loretta Washington, 60, of Binghamton, admitted that she had applied for and was receiving social security benefits for her minor child.

In September 2018, the minor, who was four years old at the time, was removed from Washington’s custody by the Broome County Department of Social Services after the minor was found walking on a road in the middle of the night.

According to officials, Washington never reported the change in custody to the Social Security Administration and, at one point, lied to the Social Security Administration that the child was still in her custody.

Between October 2018 and November 2021, Washington stole over $25,000 in social security benefits, prosecutors said.

Washington faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. She will also be required to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration. Her sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 13, 2025, in Syracuse.