SALEM, Mass. —

A Haverhill teacher was arraigned in court on Friday on multiple charges, including stolen valor, false credentials and reckless endangerment of a child.

Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell was arrested Friday morning on multiple charges, including three counts of pretending to hold degrees, identity fraud and reckless endangerment of a child, three counts of procurement fraud, two counts of stolen valor, six counts of uttering at common law and intimidation of a witness, three counts of larceny exceeding $1,200, and being a common and notorious thief in violation of Massachusetts law, the Essex County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

Prosecutors said Lagasse falsified a master's degree and a doctorate from Duke University, as well as her teaching credentials.

Additionally, investigators said she claimed to be a two-time wounded combat veteran and a Purple Heart recipient.

"What is stolen valor? It's a lie," 27-year U.S. Army veteran Jeff Hollett said. "The question that needs to be asked to those that are breaking that law, is 'What were you thinking?' and 'How did it get to this point for you?'"

Prosecutors said she did this in order to obtain employment and compensation from Massachusetts school districts in Lowell, Worcester, and Haverhill. She worked at the latter as a health teacher as recently as this spring.

"To gain employment with the Haverhill public schools, she not only held herself out to have a Ph.D. in child psychology, but also claimed...

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