A Finance Director's Betrayal: How Trust Was Broken and a Preschool Agency Closed

A former finance director at a non-profit organization has been sentenced to prison for her role in a scheme that led to the closure of an agency supporting preschool children. Sharon Killebrew, 70, was found guilty of embezzling over $1. 1 million from the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC). The agency, which provided essential early education services to disadvantaged communities, shut its doors in 2023 due to the financial fraud. The judge handed down a sentence of four years and six months in federal prison, along with orders to pay back the stolen money. Killebrew admitted to conspiring to defraud a federally funded program and evading taxes. The judge emphasized that Killebrew's actions harmed vulnerable children and betrayed the trust placed in her. The ELNC board expressed relief that justice was served but lamented the devastating impact on families and employees. The agency's closure left 35 people without jobs and disrupted early education programs for hundreds of children. The board highlighted that ELNC filled a critical gap in early childhood education, especially for minority children in underserved communities. Killebrew's defense argued that the agency's founder, Nkechy Ekere Ezeh, played a more significant role in the fraud. However, Ezeh has not faced criminal charges. The defense also presented letters from Killebrew's family and friends, describing her as a caring individual who had helped others throughout her life. Prosecutors emphasized that the most significant victims were the young children who lost access to essential education services. The fraud involved creating fake invoices, manipulating financial statements, and misusing credit cards. Killebrew's actions were described as a betrayal of trust and a significant blow to the community. The ELNC board revealed that the fraud might have continued if not for an internal whistleblower. The agency's president, Amy DeLeeuw, detailed how Killebrew's actions led to the collapse of the organization. DeLeeuw also mentioned that Killebrew's fraudulent activities went unnoticed for years due to her manipulation of financial records and the hiring of underqualified staff. The case highlights the importance of financial oversight and the devastating consequences of fraud, especially in non-profit organizations that serve vulnerable populations. The closure of ELNC has left a significant void in early childhood education for many families in Michigan.