Homeless mother who sent six-year-old son to better school in the wrong town jailed for five years

  • Tonya McDowell also admitted selling drugs and was given a combined sentence of 12 years
  • Judge ruled she must serve five years and then a further five years on probation

By Graham Smith for MailOnline
Updated:


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

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

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

Sign: The school in Norwalk, Connecticut, at the centre of the controversy

School: Brookside Elementary, where Ms McDowell 'illegally' sent her son

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.

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