Show-Me State Times

A St. Louis County business owner has been indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of defrauding Missouri Medicaid of over $3 million across more than ten years. Camille S. Childress, 40, faces four counts of health care fraud.

According to the indictment, Childress owned Inspiring Angels LLC, a home health care company, but hid her ownership from state officials due to a criminal conviction in 2012. She allegedly submitted documents claiming someone else owned the company and is accused of submitting or causing fraudulent claims for reimbursement for services never provided to Missouri Medicaid. The indictment states that some care recipients were hospitalized and could not have received home healthcare.

The indictment further alleges that Childress or Inspiring Angels filed claims without any timesheet records or documentation because the services were never provided.

Charges in an indictment are accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“The alleged fraudulent enrollment and submission of false claims by this business owner to Medicaid undermines the integrity of the program and diverts essential resources from those who genuinely need assistance,” said Linda T. Hanley, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue collaborating with the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to combat home health care fraud in Medicaid, ensuring the program remains sustainable for those who truly depend on it.”

Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.