Heartless Florida mom hid son’s disappearance so she could keep cashing his social security for nearly a decade, now she goes to prison
Florida – A Florida woman will spend the next two years in federal prison after admitting to a scheme that diverted Social Security disability payments meant for her missing adult son, closing a case that prosecutors say centered on years of deliberate deception and misuse of public funds.
Vivina Barnwell, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. after pleading guilty on May 16, 2025, to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered her to repay more than $96,000 to the Social Security Administration. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the sentence.
According to the Department of Justice, Barnwell’s son, identified as P.C., had been receiving Social Security disability benefits before he disappeared in 2016.
He was reported missing to local police and, according to authorities, he has never been found.
But while that disappearance was known to law enforcement, it was kept from the Social Security Administration, allowing the monthly payments to continue.
Investigators said those benefits were loaded onto P.C.’s debit card, which Barnwell, of Dade City, controlled. Over time, she used the card to withdraw cash and spend the money for herself, rather than allowing the government to learn that the beneficiary was missing and that the payments should have stopped.
“The intentional deception perpetrated against the Social Security Administration in this case constitutes theft of taxpayers’ dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
“Such fraud will not be tolerated against our federal programs.”
Federal officials said the case reflects a wider effort to protect benefit systems from abuse and to ensure disability payments reach the people they are intended to support.
Norman Jenkins, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Atlanta Field Division for the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, said the conduct represented a serious breach of trust.
“Stealing Social Security benefits intended for another is an egregious betrayal of trust. Ms. Barnwell’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who exploit SSA programs for personal gain,” said Norman Jenkins, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Atlanta Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (SSA OIG).
“We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect beneficiaries and ensure that funds meant to support disabled individuals are used for their care and well-being.”
The Department of Justice said its broader anti-fraud work supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, and aligns with the mission of the National Fraud Enforcement Division to investigate and prosecute those who steal or misuse taxpayer money.
The investigation was led by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the New Port Richey Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.
