Colorado parental evaluator accused of falsifying credentials pleads guilty

April 11, 2025 (DENVER) – A former Colorado woman charged last fall for using false credentials to obtain a state license as a psychologist and who served as a child and family investigator and parental evaluator in child custody cases has pleaded guilty to two felonies and one misdemeanor charge, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today.

During a hearing this morning in Denver District Court, Shannon McShane, 57, pleaded guilty to one count each retaliation against a victim or witness and attempt to influence a public servant, both class four felonies, as well as one count perjury, a class two misdemeanor. She will be sentenced June 23. The plea agreement is an open sentencing agreement which permits any lawful sentence to be imposed by the court, including time in the Colorado Department of Corrections.

“We take fraud—and efforts to undermine the integrity of our judicial process—seriously,” stated Weiser. “The defendant’s actions created real harm, and this plea agreement holds her accountable.”

McShane in October 2024 was indicted by the statewide grand jury (PDF download) for falsely representing herself to state agencies and judicial officers as having a PhD in Psychology, which allowed her to obtain licensure with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as a licensed psychologist, certified addiction counselor, and licensed addiction counselor. Through her licensure, she conducted investigations and provided judges and magistrates with reports of findings and recommendations on parenting time and decision-making for children. McShane also was employed with the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Colorado Department of Human Services to work at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo.

McShane included on her employment applications and testified under oath that she had earned a PhD from the University of Hertfordshire, but an investigation found no records showing McShane was a student or earned a degree from the university.

The case is filed in Denver District Court under case number 2024CR15110.

A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime under Colorado laws. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

###

Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov