A mother who pleaded guilty to fraudulently enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Tonya McDowell sent her son to an elementary school in Norwalk, Connecticut, instead of her home city of Bridgeport.
The 34-year-old, who was homeless when she was charged with felony larceny last year, said she wanted the best education possible for the boy.
Jailed: Tracy McDowell pleaded guilty to fraudulently enrolling her six-year-old son in the wrong school district and has been sentenced to five years in prison
McDowell last week entered her plea at Norwalk Superior Court under the Alford Doctrine, which means she does not admit guilt but concedes the state has enough evidence to convict her.
Authorities told the hearing that she used a babysitter's address to enroll her son in kindergarten in Norwalk when he should have attended schools in Bridgeport, her last permanent address.
Her case drew national attention and support from civil rights leaders and other advocates who wanted the charge dismissed.
Good intentions: The 34-year-old, who was homeless when she was charged last year, said she wanted the best education possible for her son
McDowell told police she was living in a van and occasionally slept at a Norwalk shelter or a friend's Bridgeport apartment when she enrolled her son Norwalk's Brookside Elementary School.
Police said McDowell stole $15,686 worth of 'free' educational services from Norwalk.
She also pleaded guilty to four counts of sale of narcotics, which will be included in her prison sentence.
In a separate case, she pleaded guilty on February 7 to selling drugs.
Sign: The school in Norwalk, Connecticut, at the centre of the controversy
School: Brookside Elementary, where Ms McDowell 'illegally' sent her son
McDowell's lawyer, Darnell Crosland, said she agreed to accept a plea bargain rather than continue fighting the charges even though she insists she is not guilty.
Mr Crosland said: 'You shouldn't be arrested for stealing a free education. It's just wrong.'
McDowell was sentenced to 12 years in jail, suspended after she serves five years, and five years probation.
No comments:
Post a Comment
EAGLE EYE REPORT CROSS-FIRE AND DISCLAIMER:
Comments or opinions made here are not those of the publisher.
Publisher is not liable for the comments or opinions expressed by readers.
Be bold and include your name at the end of your comments.
No abusive, racist, or discriminatory comments.