This is a SHAME!

NORWALK, CT (AP) -
Tanya McDowell, the Bridgeport mother accused of fraudulently enrolling her son in a Norwalk school and stealing more than $15,000 in educational services from the district, has pleaded guilty.

McDowell was sentenced to 12 years in prison, suspended after five, and must pay back up to $6,200 to the city of Norwalk for stealing her son's education.

McDowell's 12 year sentence also includes four counts of drug possession and sale charges, which she pleaded guilty to on Wednesday.

McDowell was homeless when she was charged with felony larceny last year. Authorities allege she enrolled her son in kindergarten in Norwalk using a babysitter's address when he should have attended Bridgeport schools, where her last permanent address was.

Darnel Crosland, McDowell's attorney said McDowell's  son still thinks his mother stole the Norwalk school.

"That's the sad part. He's with his grandmother and she's doing the best to raise him," Crosland said. "I think you should measure her not by the fact that she was arrested for selling drugs but what has she done for her child."

McDowell's case drew national attention and support from civil rights leaders and other advocates, who wanted the charge dismissed.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.



This is completely ridiculous!!!! omg are you kidding me??
sweetdasia

What happen to free education? I own a home and pay school taxes. I understand how some may feel she stole because she wasn't paying school taxes there. If you reside in an apartment you pay 0 - minimal school taxes. I could understand giving her community service, but 12 years is excessive. 12 years don't fit the crime. I understand the drug charges, but that should have been sentenced separately.


Seems to me that it would make more sense if Norwalk took the State of CT to court to obtain their money back.I think the mom did what was reasonable for her son.Has anyone visited the school in the district the child was zoned for?Another failing school?If so, who has the right to require that this child attend a failing school?Is this one of the children living in the area surrounded with all those highly toxic concerns such as power plants? Maybe I will move to Bridgeport.


i am wondering if the child was a "concern" in the school system and if this led to the search for other possibilities? perhaps this also needs some consideration. if true, then maybe this might mean unequal ed intent and bullying by adults. abusive.


Perhaps he means the ability to be a good citizen, respect those who act and dress differently, and all the larger goals of the State of CT.What are the chances that these will be reached where the child was zoned for?i think a nat'l curriculum may make sense because we can remove these discriminative boundaries.ed is a state function and then still reduced by wealth still.This poor woman may have opened up a few more minds.she is still the rosa parks,"happens" to be a black woman (don't know if african american,carribean, etc?can she just be American? not until we remove the boundary she made evident with her bravery at another level).she is the "rosa parks" for all those who need a fair education ..still poor.States need to update for all. perhaps the lawyers better trained and willing to use law as a passion and at a higher level...new statutes to challenge the old laws. sad! cruel!


i do not think she is a criminal. more of an awakening for others to stand up and speak what you feel. if you are in disagreement in the school do not be afraid to talk. these feelings are legitimate. hopefully she will have a financial proposal such as a film offer and then can move to a place and feel differently there while allowing her child to have the education he deserves...a reasonable education. maybe a question can be whether or not the school where her child was zoned is truly providing a reasonable education in CT. when i announce reasonable, i would like to consider the environment and the support system. what would be closer to an equal opportunity for all children. perhaps interview the teachers that have left bridgeport.my elementary school child says that he does not think it is fair that she wants a better life for her child when he is older.


cont. from below.the woman cannot probably express her feelings in a court and may not have the language to present herself.may be familiar with the feelings of threat that a court brings.the environment is never comforting and aware of one's ignorance and that this may change her relationship with her child can tie one up.internally one gives up. current neuroscience has proven that there is a relationship with emotions and feelings in the brain.in my opinion this woman was denied too much.unfortunately does not have the means to challenge the state of ct for their truly unfair distribution and lack of funding for areas where there is considerable less advantages.how about comparing the staffing,true enrollment, and support at worthington hooker with other new haven schools?this woman deserves more and i praise her strength to pursue what her son needs and how she only knew to do it.


I would like to know what the majority of Norwalk parents would do if they were in this woman's shoes? Maybe we can take a poll online and help this woman. There might be some use with industrial standards. The woman may have remained in Bridgeport because she has a support group for her conditions. Unless you are there, I cannot imagine you would know what this would mean. she may also feel emotionless due to the cruelty of experience in her life and now the feeling of failure while wanted the best for her child. She may have layers of this feeling and where does she find the power to somehow pull a little more to make life better for her child?I have a bi racial child and as an educator made better aware of the level of discrimination we bring to the classroom or to the environment with our ignorance. It exist in ways where we feel something wrong happening but cannot pinpoint.