The Endicott Enquirer News from the Southern Tier

Con Artist Doesn’t Get Any Help From Dr. Phil in Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN — A Hagerstown woman who confessed on national television in January to being a con artist pleaded guilty Monday morning in Washington County Circuit Court to felony theft scheme and driving while suspended.

Michelle Pheabus, 33, must serve 18 months in jail for the felony theft scheme charge, the judge ordered.

Washington County Circuit Judge M. Kenneth Long Jr. imposed the sentence a month after Pheabus told "Dr. Phil" McGraw she could get away with anything and that she didn't think she was "jail material."

"I've always thought I could talk my way out of anything, until about now," Pheabus told McGraw during a pretaped show that aired Jan. 23. "It's starting to hit me that I'm not going to be able to talk my way out of anything anymore."

Pheabus called McGraw because she thought he was going to help her, defense attorney Martin Palmer Jr. said Monday.

"Dr. Phil" talked to Pheabus for only a few minutes, Palmer said.

"Dr. Phil only made matters worse and exploited her and her children and her family," Palmer said.

The Herald-Mail

It is good to know that Dr. Phil not only screws up with Brittany Spears but also with small time con artists as well in small cities. Not that this is really his fault, but it does show that just because someone calls himself a doctor does not mean they can help. As a matter of fact if you really need help don't turn to a nut TV doctor, get real professional help.