Cumberland County Woman Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements Concerning Her Daughter’s Medical Care

HARRISBURG- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Shelley Noreika, age 48, of Newville, PA, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo for false statements relating to health care matters. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Noreika admitted that on or about February 4, 2020, she made false statements concerning her 5-year-old daughter to medical providers.  Noreika told her daughter to pretend having a seizure while Noreika videotaped her.  Noreika then emailed the video clip of the fake seizure to her daughter’s pediatric neurologist, along with false statements concerning the minor child’s medical condition. On multiple other occasions, Noreika also falsely reported to medical providers that her daughter experienced seizures, when in fact no such seizures occurred. Noreika never witnessed her daughter have an actual seizure on February 4, 2020, or on any other date. Noreika misled medical providers concerning the health and condition of her daughter knowing they would rely on her false statements in their diagnosis and treatment decisions. 

Pursuant to the terms of a written plea agreement, the parties agreed the offense involved a loss amount exceeding $95,000 but less than $150,000, which includes costs borne by insurers and the government for the daughter’s unnecessary medical treatment and visits. 

Noreika no longer cares for the minor child, and she also faces related state charges which are pending. 

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Harrisburg Field Office, and the Pennsylvania State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Dalke is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense charged is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

# # #