Brooklyn Aide Accused of Faking Funerals for Leave

In a surprising case, Andrea Silico, a classroom aide in Brooklyn, has been found to have claimed bereavement leave for 21 deceased relatives since 2016. However, most of these claims have raised eyebrows.

Silico, 40, works at PS K369, a school for students with disabilities. She reported numerous bereavements, including a fiancé, six uncles, six aunts, and two grandfathers, among others. This list includes some relatives she reportedly couldn’t even name.

Despite these claims, investigations suggest Silico may have been taking undue advantage of her position. For each alleged funeral, she would skip work—sometimes just for a day or two. In her role, which focused on supporting 509 students with autism and other challenges, this absence was felt heavily.

Amid these fabricated events, it’s noted that Silico received a salary of $55,460 last year. Curiously, she also raised nearly $2,000 on the days she claimed to be grieving.

A colleague from PS K369 expressed concern, saying, “It’s not just unethical—it’s disappointing for the special needs children who depend on her. When she’s gone, the children have to adjust.”

Investigations uncovered that, out of the 11 reported funerals, many lacked adequate documentation. Furthermore, investigators struggled to validate claims for five additional relatives due to unreadable names in the paperwork.

The inquiry kicked off in December 2024 after school officials noticed an unusually high number of leave requests linked to “family deaths.” They began examining the funeral home letters she provided, only to discover that Cobble Hill Chapels had no record of the services listed.

The discrepancies multiplied as investigators noted several inconsistencies among the names and relationships cited in Silico’s documents. For instance, the names of her deceased fiancé and grandfather were not clearly listed. Plus, one name appeared as both an “aunt” and “uncle” in different letters.

When questioned about these contradictions, Silico responded defensively. She left the interview stating, “this is motivated” and characterized the investigation as unfair.

The funeral homes involved denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that they do not issue false documentation.

Since starting her role with the DOE in 2014, Silico has been under scrutiny. Officials reported that as of June 11, a disciplinary meeting had been held, and it was decided she would have to repay nearly $2,000 for the fabricated claims. A spokesperson for the DOE stated their commitment to maintaining high standards among their staff.

Silico, when contacted by phone, claimed she was unaware of the investigation and declined to comment further on the allegations.