Hoaks Charges

Police say a 33-year old woman deceived the residents of Galena, Kansas into thinking she was a 13-year old boy. Now the woman has been arrested and is facing charges. But this may not be the first time she`s committed similar crimes. The arrest comes as a shock to many residents of Galena whose hearts went out to who they thought was a lost boy. One of the places that tried to help the suspect was the Galena school district. Hoaks` scam has apparently fooled people across the nation. Now that it`s hit the four states, Birdie Jo Hoaks may be out of tricks. Police say after the 33-year old woman asked the Galena Assembly Of God Church for help, ministers there tried to get her enrolled in school. We talked with Superintendent Raymond Dykens, who`s been in education for nearly 40 years. In all that time, he says he thought he had seen everything, until now. Dykens spent time talking with who he thought was the young boy, under the name Chris Gomez. But the school`s screening process prevented the alleged imposter to be enrolled right away. Today we also spoke with the Galena Assembly of God Pastor Jim Jones who says it`s the church`s mission to care for people in the community. Shortly after taking the boy in and caring for him, Jones says Gomez finally confessed to being a 33 year old woman. Jones says the woman is trying to turn a new leaf and end the streak of scams she`s pulled. Jones says he think`s her confession is in part due to the loving nature of the church. Reported By: Ryan Loyd and Courtney Cullor