Chad Kullhem’s custody battle turned into a nightmare when he discovered that the family investigator handling his case, Shannon McShane, had falsified her credentials. He found discrepancies in the Ph.D. she claimed to have received from a university in London, prompting an investigation by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). McShane had used these allegedly fake documents to become a licensed psychologist and addiction counselor, working in positions at the Colorado Department of Corrections and Department of Human Services.
Kullhem expressed his concern that someone with falsified credentials had power within the court system and impacted many lives. The Attorney General launched an investigation which led to a 15-count criminal indictment against McShane for forgery and attempting to influence a public official.
State departments that hired McShane relied on DORA’s vetting process for licensing. Despite the discrepancies, no immediate internal process changes were deemed necessary. Kullhem urges other families to do their research and be cautious when dealing with professionals in similar situations.
As McShane’s criminal case unfolds, Kullhem remains vigilant and worries about the potential impact on other families affected by her actions. DORA is examining how to better ensure the validity of documents approved by outside entities, and McShane is scheduled to return to court in April. CBS Colorado’s investigation sheds light on the importance of verifying credentials and the potential consequences of dishonest practices in the professional field.
