US Court Jails Nigerian Social Worker for Stealing $17,638 Meant for Disabled Child

US Court Jails Nigerian Social Worker for Stealing $17,638 Meant for Disabled Child

A US court has sentenced Nigerian social worker Akeatha Diane Akintola to five months in prison after she admitted stealing over $17,000 in Social Security benefits meant for an autistic child under her care in Washington State.

US Court Sentences Nigerian Social Worker to Prison for Stealing Disabled Child's Social Security Benefits

A United States court has sentenced Akeatha Diane Akintola, a Nigerian-born social worker based in Washington State, to five months in federal prison after she pleaded guilty to stealing more than $17,000 in Social Security benefits intended for a vulnerable autistic child.

According to the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington, the 48-year-old admitted to unlawfully diverting $17,638 in government benefits that belonged to a minor with intellectual disabilities who had been placed under the care of the Snoqualmie Tribe.

Judge Condemns Exploitation of Vulnerable Child

Akintola appeared before Magistrate Judge Kate Vaughan, who ordered her into custody immediately after accepting her guilty plea.

During sentencing, Judge Vaughan strongly criticized the crime, emphasizing that the victim was one of society's most vulnerable individuals.

The court heard that Akintola abused the trust placed in her as a social worker by exploiting a grieving child who depended on survivor benefits after the death of the child's mother.

How the Fraud Was Carried Out

Court documents revealed that Akintola began working as a social worker for the Snoqualmie Tribe in January 2023.

In September of the same year, she allegedly applied over the phone to become the child's Social Security Representative Payee, despite tribal rules strictly prohibiting social workers from holding that position for children under their care.

Prosecutors said she used the child's Social Security number alongside her own personal information to secure approval, then redirected the monthly benefits into a bank account she controlled.

Instead of using the money to support the child's welfare, authorities said Akintola spent the funds on personal expenses, including purchases at a retail store in North Bend, Washington.

Fraud Discovered During Investigation

The theft remained hidden until July 2024 when Akintola accompanied her supervisor to the Social Security Administration to investigate why the child's benefit payments had stopped arriving.

Officials informed them that Akintola herself was listed as the child's representative payee.

According to prosecutors, she denied having any knowledge of the arrangement before resigning from her position the following day.

Attempt to Leave the United States

Federal prosecutors also disclosed that Akintola failed to appear for an earlier plea and sentencing hearing scheduled for May 22, 2026.

Investigators later discovered she had departed the United States on May 20, traveling to Togo using a passport issued under a different surname.

She eventually returned to the US and appeared before the court, where Judge Vaughan immediately ordered her into federal custody.

Tribe Says Social Worker Betrayed Public Trust

A representative of the Snoqualmie Tribe delivered an emotional victim impact statement, saying Akintola had completely betrayed the responsibilities entrusted to her as a child protection professional.

The representative told the court that the stolen funds were intended to help secure the child's future independence and quality of life.

The court heard that the victim, an autistic child grieving the loss of a mother, depended heavily on the survivor benefits for ongoing care and support.

The representative added:

«"A social worker is meant to protect children who have lost safety, family and stability. Instead, Ms. Akintola weaponized her position of power to systematically steal from a grieving autistic child. This money was not a luxury—it was a lifeline."»

Court Orders Restitution and Lifetime Ban

In addition to serving five months in prison, Akintola has been ordered to repay the full $17,638 to the Social Security Administration.

The court also imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from ever serving as a Social Security representative payee again.

The case serves as a reminder of the serious legal consequences of abusing public trust and misusing government benefits intended for vulnerable individuals.

FAQ

Who is Akeatha Diane Akintola?

Akeatha Diane Akintola is a Nigerian-born social worker formerly employed by the Snoqualmie Tribe in Washington State.

Why was she sentenced to prison?

She pleaded guilty to stealing $17,638 in Social Security survivor benefits intended for an autistic child under her care.

How long is her prison sentence?

A US federal court sentenced her to five months in prison.

How was the fraud discovered?

The fraud was uncovered when Social Security officials revealed that Akintola had been listed as the child's representative payee during an inquiry into missing benefit payments.

Was she ordered to repay the money?

Yes. The court ordered her to pay full restitution of $17,638 to the Social Security Administration.

Can she ever serve as a representative payee again?

No. The court permanently barred her from serving as a Social Security representative payee in the future.

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