A woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to lying to the U.S. government when she applied for Social Security benefits on behalf of her children for benefits they didn't deserve.

It's a crime that could cost Tedra Ditmore her freedom as well as $189,180 or more.

"Her fraudulent statements not only could send her to federal prison, it took money away from truly needy Social Security recipients who really would have used those funds for their children," said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates after a hearing.

Ditmore, 38, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan S. Cole that she made false statements to the Social Security Administration when she received benefits from the agency between 2005 and 2009.

The Jefferson woman's first claim for children's insurance survivor's benefit was filed on Nov. 3, 2005, a year after the death of her husband David Ditmore, said Loranzo M. Fleming, special assistant U.S. attorney, in Gainesville's U.S. District Court Wednesday.

Initial and annual reports filed by Tedra Ditmore told the federal agency she was housing, caring for and supporting her two children, which she reported as surviving dependents of David Ditmore.

However, investigators later learned the man did not provide 50 percent or more of the children's care before he died.

Furthermore, the children had been living with their biological father Michael Ditmore since 2001, Fleming said, adding that the father's calls to Social Security alerted the agency to the possible benefit discrepancy.

"The SSA (Social Security Administration) investigation determined the defendant and the children were not eligible or entitled to receive survivor's benefits under David Ditmore," Fleming told the judge.

Information wasn't available on what, if any relationship, David Ditmore had to Michael Ditmore.

In all, Ditmore received $189,180 in Social Security money, the bulk of which she did not use to care for her children, Fleming added.

As part of her written plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Tedra Ditmore, who was indicted on Oct. 19, 2010, agreed to pay restitution equalling the exact amount she received.

Additionally, she could be sentenced a maximum of five years in prison as well as be fined up to $250,000. Sentencing before U.S. District Judge William C. O'Kelley has not been scheduled.