Perrysburg Schools Defend Actions, Reassess Enrollment After Adult Poses as Student
Perrysburg Schools say they followed all applicable laws and protocols after a man, later identified as 24-year-old Anthony Labrador Sierra, enrolled under false pretenses as a high school student.
Labrador Sierra, a Venezuelan national reportedly overstaying his visa, attended Perrysburg High School for over a year before his true identity came to light.
District officials say he presented forged documents and manipulated systems designed to protect vulnerable children, including those covered under the McKinney-Vento Act. This federal law requires immediate enrollment of unaccompanied children without requiring full documentation up front.
“We acted in good faith,” the district stated. “That good faith was taken advantage of by someone determined to exploit protections meant for the vulnerable.”
No prior reports of abuse or trafficking were made to the district; claims only surfaced through Labrador Sierra’s legal representation during a 2024 meeting related to his immigration status.
The district is now reviewing its enrollment protocols, emphasizing the need to refine how staff document complex cases, initiate legal review, and prepare for unusual but serious situations.
““We are reviewing our enrollment protocols—not because they were wrong, but because someone took advantage of our current systems.,” officials said.
Investigations are ongoing at both the local and federal levels.
