Alleged fake nurse yet to be tried

PERKINS TWP. — A woman accused of practicing as a physical therapist without a license has yet to be tried, according to court records. Amanda Maynard, 35, no address listed, is facing a six-count indictment. She's been charged with: • Four fifth-degree felony counts of identity fraud • One count of fourth-degree felony grand theft • One fifth-degree felony charge of possessing criminal tools Maynard was indicted by an Erie County grand jury in January 2025. At the time, the pickup radius for her warrant was only within Ohio. At the time of the indictment, it was believed she was residing in Florida. Last month, Erie County Sheriff's Office Detective Alexis Harvey contacted officials with the common pleas court and was able to change the pickup to nationwide, according to Sheriff Paul Sigsworth. Currently, officials believe Maynard is residing in Tennessee. Anyone with information on Maynard's whereabouts can call the Erie County Sheriff's Office detective bureau at (419) 627-7553. All caller information can be kept anonymous. Maynard first came under scrutiny in early 2024. She had gained employment at a West Strub Road medical facility in 2023, according to Perkins police Detective Joseph Rotuno. She allegedly used the physical therapy license number of a different Amanda M. Maynard and the Social Security number of a third woman to pass the background check, according to Rotuno. The third woman lives in North Carolina and has a different name. Police are unsure how Maynard obtained this Social Security number. The reported identity fraud was discovered when an investigator from the Ohio State Medical Board called the health care facility due to receiving a complaint about Maynard, Rotuno said. When the medical board discovered that alleged identity fraud was involved, it advised officials from the health care facility to contact law enforcement. Perkins police were notified in December 2023. After investigating the incident, police obtained a search warrant and executed it at Maynard's Margaretta Township address in the 100 block of Fairview Ave. The search occurred on Jan. 17, 2024. During the search, conducted with cooperation from the Erie County Sheriff's Office, several electronic devices and an ID badge for a skilled nursing facility in Ashland were seized, Rotuno said. Maynard was present during the search, and officers arrested her on the two felony charges. She was wearing hospital scrubs and had a stethoscope around her neck, according to Rotuno. Maynard also reportedly worked for 20 days at a Hull Road medical facility as a licensed practical nurse, but she did not possess a license to practice, Rotuno said.