A United States district court in Michigan has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, a Nigerian-born former executive director of the Early Learning Neighbourhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in prison. Ezeh pleaded guilty to orchestrating a fraud scheme that diverted $1.4 million in taxpayer and donor money intended for vulnerable preschool children.
Court Condemns Brazen Theft
District Judge Hala Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief” who carried out a “brazen and widespread” scheme to steal funds meant for “the most vulnerable children” in West Michigan. The theft forced the closure of ELNC in 2023, leaving many preschools without funding and depriving needy children of vital resources.
Restitution and Tax Evasion Sentence
The court ordered Ezeh to pay $1.4 million in restitution to victims and $390,174 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). She also received a concurrent 60-month prison term for evading income taxes. In December 2025, Ezeh pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion, admitting that from at least 2017 through 2023, she conspired with Sharon Killebrew and others to defraud ELNC of $1,400,000.
Collapse of ELNC and Impact on Children
The US government confirmed that ELNC shut down in 2023 due to the fraud. Many West Michigan preschools lost funding, and children in need were deprived of essential resources. The non-profit also laid off its 35 employees without notice.
Co-conspirator Sentenced
Sharon Killebrew, ELNC’s bookkeeper and Ezeh’s co-conspirator, was sentenced in November 2025 to 54 months in federal prison for her role in the scheme.
US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, condemned Ezeh’s actions, stating: “Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible. She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself. The stolen money could have supported hundreds of West Michigan children and their families. Judge Jarbou’s sentence was perfectly appropriate.”
