Hyejeong Shin, 29, of New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States is of Korean descent. She fraudulently enrolled in New Brunswick High School on Somerset Street in New Brunswick.

To do this, Shin allegedly provided a false birth certificate to the New Brunswick Board of Education with the intent to enroll as a 15-year-old high school student. She went in and out of the school for four days before her true age was discovered.

Much of Shin’s time in the school were spent with guidance counselors and she attended at least three classes. She raised suspicion after failing to provide the identity of her legal guardians.

Shin was arrested and her mug shots were not released. There are still no details about the date of her arrest and her current custody status. 

Why Shin impersonated a minor and fraudulently enrolled as a student in New Brunswick High School is still unclear. On January 24, 2023, she was charged with providing a false government document with the intent to verify one’s identity or age, which is a third-degree crime.

On the same day, New Brunswick High School officials notified the parents of the students Shin came in contact with. The students who came in contact with her were asked not to engage with her again either remotely or in person.