FERRIDAY — A Ferriday daycare owner was sentenced to more than three years prison for defrauding the federal government of more than $220,000.

U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell handed down the sentence of 37 months Thursday to Pamela Gorden, 50.

Gorden, who owned and operated Gorden’s Daycare and Learning Center, pleaded guilty to the charge of one count mail fraud in late June. She has owned the center since 1990.

She had reportedly submitted fraudulent invoices to the Child Care Assistance Program.

The total reported loss due to the fraud was $220,697.49.

As part of her sentencing, the court will require Gorden to make full restitution.

The defrauded parties in the case include the State of Louisiana Department of Social Services’ Office of Family Support’s Child Care Assistance Program, which is funded by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant.

“The child care assistance program helps low-income families to pay for child care while working, looking for work, attending school or training,” U.S. Attorney Donald Washington said in a news release.

“When someone submits false claims for payments of child care that was not provided, this reduces the funds available to provide assistance to the families and children of Louisiana who need this service.

“This office will continue to prosecute and seek maximum punishment for anyone who abuses programs designed to protect the best interests of our families and children.”