Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A mother confessed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Wash., to passing her healthy children off as mentally retarded to collect government benefits. Rosie Costello admitted Monday to coaching her son and daughter to feign mental retardation for 20 years, allowing her to collect $280,000 in state and federal benefits, The Columbian reported Tuesday. Advertisement Norman Barbosa, an assistant U.S. Attorney, said Costello pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the government and Social Security fraud. Costello's son, Peter, 28, pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud earlier in February. Costello first claimed government benefits for Peter when he was eight in 1987. Investigators have been unable to locate Costello's daughter, Marie. The case was brought to the attention of investigators when Peter Costello contested a citation for driving without insurance in court last year. He was seen on video behaving normally. He is scheduled for sentencing May 11, with the prosecution suggesting six months to one year imprisonment. Rosie Costello is scheduled for sentencing May 17 and could receive 24 to 30 months. Both are expected to be ordered to pay restitution.
