Nigerian caregiver in the US jailed for stealing $17,000 meant for disabled child

A Nigerian social worker based in the United States, Akeatha Diane Akintola, has been sentenced to five months in prison. She stole over $17,000 in Social Security benefits meant for a disabled child she was caring for in Washington State.

According to a statement from the US Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Washington, Akintola, 48, pleaded guilty to stealing public funds. She unlawfully took $17,638 that was intended for a child with intellectual disabilities.

The department said Akintola was arrested right after her plea and sentencing hearing before Magistrate Judge Kate Vaughan. At the hearing, Vaughan condemned her actions. She said it was shocking that Akintola targeted a vulnerable child.

Court records showed that Akintola started working as a social worker for the Snoqualmie Tribe in January 2023. She later applied to be the Social Security Representative Payee for a minor child under the tribe’s care.

The statement explained that the child's mother had passed away. This left survivor benefits for the child, but social workers were not allowed to serve as representative payees for children in the tribe’s care. Despite this rule, prosecutors said Akintola used the child’s Social Security number along with her own to get the appointment. She then redirected the benefits into a bank account under her control.

The attorney’s office said she used the funds for personal expenses, including shopping at a retailer in North Bend, Washington. The statement said, "In September 2023, Akintola applied by telephone to be the Social Security representative payee for a minor child with intellectual disabilities who was a ward of the tribe."

The tribe has a rule against social workers becoming representative payees for children in their care. But Akintola still used the child's Social Security number and her information to apply.

The theft came to light in July 2024 when Akintola went with her supervisor to the Social Security Administration. They were inquiring about the child’s missing benefits. Social Security officials told them that Akintola was listed as the child’s representative payee. But she denied it and resigned the next day.

The department revealed that Akintola missed a previous plea and sentencing hearing set for May 22, 2026. Later, prosecutors found out she had left the U.S. on May 20, 2026. She traveled to Togo in West Africa using a passport with a different last name.

Akintola finally appeared for her plea and sentencing hearing on July 15. Judge Vaughan ordered her into custody right away to start serving her sentence.

A representative of the Snoqualmie Tribe told the court that Akintola abused the trust given to her as a social worker. She exploited a grieving child for her own financial gain. The representative added that the stolen funds were meant to help the child become independent and well. The victim was an autistic child who relied on the benefits after losing her mother.

The statement included a quote saying, "In our profession, a social worker is meant to be a safekeeper. A protector for children who have been stripped of their safety, family, and stability."

The attorney’s office announced that Akintola was ordered to pay back $17,638 to the Social Security Administration. She is also banned from ever being a Social Security representative payee again.