Florida Woman Arrested for Allegedly Using Dead Sister's Identity for Housing Voucher
Authorities accuse a Florida woman of stealing her deceased sister's identity to fraudulently obtain a taxpayer-funded housing voucher, leading to charges of identity theft and grand theft.
A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with using her dead sister's identity to secure a taxpayer-funded housing voucher. Shadaryl Eddie, 28, was taken into custody on Thursday in the Oakland Park neighborhood, facing charges of criminal use of a personal ID and grand theft.
According to an arrest report filed in Broward County, Eddie allegedly obtained a housing voucher by using her sister's birth certificate and Social Security card. She reportedly presented these documents to a property owner on March 12, 2025. Approximately four months later, the property owner received a notification from the housing authority indicating an outstanding debt of $8,357 for Eddie's property, as the voucher had been illegally acquired.
Investigations revealed that the identity used belonged to Eddie's sister, who had passed away on December 11, 2024. The arrest report states that the property owner has been reimbursed for the fraudulent payments but remains "out of funds." The owner also incurred losses from unpaid rent and the expenses associated with evicting Eddie, resulting in a total financial loss estimated at over $11,000.
Authorities noted that Eddie had been residing at a different address since her eviction over the summer. The housing voucher program, funded by taxpayer dollars, includes programs like Housing Choice Vouchers, commonly known as Section 8, which provide rental assistance to eligible individuals, including those with disabilities, low-income families, and the elderly.
To qualify for such programs, applicants typically must meet income limitations and submit a government-issued ID, Social Security card, proof of income, birth certificate, and proof of residency. If convicted, Eddie could face up to three years in prison for the identity theft charge and up to five years for grand theft. The case has been classified as a first-degree felony. Eddie is being held in Broward County Jail without bail and has not yet entered a plea. Efforts to reach Eddie for comment were unsuccessful.