Teacher Gives "Sick Lesson"; Lied About Tumor to Take Time Off, Say Cops

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (CBS/AP) A Pennsylvania teacher has apparently come up with a whole new definition of "sick leave."

Police in Middletown, Pa. say a popular middle school teacher has been lying about having an inoperable brain tumor. Fifty-one-year-old Leslie Herneisey of Middletown allegedly faked documents to take sick leave.

She faces 12 counts of forgery.

Police say Herneisey missed work at Middletown Middle School over the years for treatment of a purported tumor. But her lack of symptoms made district officials suspicious.

Lower Swatara Township police say Herneisey forged papers stating she needed weeks of chemotherapy and would be unable to teach.

Det. Robert Appleby says Herneisey admitted the fabrication and resigned in May. She was arraigned last week and faces an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing.

Her attorney, Terry McGowan, says Herneisey is battling depression.