Pendleton woman accused of $359K childcare fund scam

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 60-year-old Pendleton woman is facing federal charges after prosecutors say she used false childcare attendance records and fraudulent food claims to obtain more than $359,000 in government funds.

Sharon Jackson has been charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of failure to file an individual income tax return. According to federal court documents, Jackson has agreed to plead guilty to both charges but had not formally entered her plea in federal court at the time of filing. Jackson is scheduled to make her initial appearance in federal court on Thursday.

The charges are part of the Trump administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a federal effort focused on fraud, waste and abuse involving government benefit programs.

Federal prosecutors say Jackson operated three childcare facilities in Indianapolis at various times between 2017 and 2024: Precious Hearts of Solid Rock, Greater St. Mark Five Star Ministry and Little Angels of Precious Hearts.

Court documents state that Jackson obtained money through two government programs — the Child Care and Development Fund, known as CCDF, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP.

The CCDF program provides childcare assistance ...