Ionia Woman Accused of Lying to Ontario County DSS

An Ionia woman was arrested Thursday by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office for following an investigation by the Department of Social Services.

Ashley Penkin is accused of filing paperwork with DSS and the Child Support Unit that indicated she was not aware who the father of her child was in order to qualify for public assistance by excluding his income from consideration. Investigators say this is despite living with him and both parents previously signing an acknowledgment of parentage.

Penkin was charged with offering a false instrument for filing.