Mother Convicted of Felony for Schooling Children in Neighboring District

Posted on 16. Aug, 2011 by Sickly Cat in Lifestyle

“An Ohio mother of two was sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on three years probation after sending her kids to a school district in which they did not live. Kelley Williams-Bolar was sentenced by Judge Patricia Cosgrove on Tuesday and will begin serving her sentence immediately.

The jury deliberated for seven hours and the courtroom was packed as the sentence was handed down. She was convicted on two counts of tampering with court records after registering her two girls as living with Williams Bolar’s father when they actually lived with her.

The family lived in the housing projects in Akron, Ohio, and the father’s address was in nearby Copley Township. Additionally, Williams-Bolar’s father, Edward L. Williams, was charged with a fourth-degree felony of grand theft, in which he and his daughter are charged with defrauding the school system for two years of educational services for their girls. The court determined that sending their children to the wrong school was worth $30,500 in tuition. – Dr. Boyce Watkins

As punishment for doing everything in her power to keep her children safe, Ms. Williams-Bolar, a single mother with no previous criminal record, has been made a felon by Ohio judge Patricia Cosgrove. In addition to jail time, a large fine and probation, Ms. Williams-Bolar’s felony conviction has also robbed her of her future.

“‘Because of the felony conviction, you will not be allowed to get your teaching degree under Ohio law as it stands today. The court’s taking into consideration that is also a punishment that you will have to serve.” – Judge Patricia Cosgrove

Although Ms. Williams-Bolar had nearly completed her education to become a teacher, under Ohio law felons are not permitted to teach. She has been robbed of the opportunity to elevate her life and the lives of her family through her own hard work. She has been handed what equates to a life sentence for attempting to protect her children. In a time of overwhelming economic disadvantage for so many US citizens, are loving single mothers like Williams-Bolar truly the enemy our court system should be making examples of in this way?

Ms. Williams-Bolar’s attorneys are currently preparing for an appeal. Please sign this petition to let Gov. Kasich know that you do not feel that Kelley Williams-Bolar’s punishment appropriately fits her crime, and that you both support and demand a full pardon.

Tags: Copley Township, Education, False Imprisonment, Kelley Williams-Bolar, Patricia Cosgrove, Politics of race, racism

Crystal

I always wondered what happened in this situation!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001639132769 Laura George

Unfortunately that is the law. You choose to break the laws, you pay for it.
Betty

So many people do that now a days. I personally nknow two families who send their kids to another school district, lie nabout the kids address in order get them in that other district. One nMom has been doing it for several years.
http://www.SicklyCat.com JCB3

Laura, there is a spot reserved in hell for conservatives like you.
D Oshima

A felony conviction seems rather harsh, but the npetition is asking for a “full pardon”. Why should she get off scott nfree? She did commit a crime.
PattyP

Felony offense AND a fine of 30,000 for wanting nsomething better for her girls? A woman judge decided this? What civil nrights will she lose being a felon. This is bull-shit, excuse my nlanguage.
Marley

Murderers go Free , Molesters go Free , Single Moms got to jail and convicted of a felony for wanting better for her children. WOW this is heartbreaking
http://www.SicklyCat.com JCB3

And the kids are probably in foster care while she’s locked up.
Cydney

This is sickening!u00a0 Her life is basically destroyed since she will have to claim she is a felon on EVERY job document she will ever sign.u00a0 And she was so close to becoming a teacher and bettering her life for herself and her children.u00a0 This is a classic case of someone trying to pull themselves up and getting dragged back down by RACISM…
Elizabeth Los Angeles’ CA

This is an absolute outrage and racism at its ugliest!!!! u00a0
Lloyd King

Saw this story a while back,this is why you dont nwant big government trying to control your life ,and imposing insane nfines and penalties if you dont “cooperate”.
Flyingfox2

unfortunately, I am not surprised by much that happens in this country. It never has been any different, and those that say otherwise just haven’t been paying attention…or have their minds made up for them by others.
Jose

the law system is retarded sometimes, thats nfucked up, she just didnt want her kids going to a fucked up school, my nmoms did that once, if they did that shit to her id go ham
Mdlj831

This is not about big government. This is about keeping people in there place. Big government is the entity that forced school integration and opened up educational opportunities for all.u00a0
Doubleoseven

This is a god damn shame. What a great country we live in.
http://www.SicklyCat.com JCB3

Precisely!u00a0 This is more about “States Rights” than big government!
Thesarahb

Laura…. never mind. I can’t waste my words on you.
Thesarahb

The only crime here is that local, state and federal governments allow such disparity between school districts. The fact is that if you do not have money, your child will get a shitty education. If you have money, your kids will get a decent or great education and actually have a chance at becoming successful capitalists.u00a0 For all of you who disagree, take a quick read of The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America by Jonathan Kozol for au00a0 tour of the disgusting gap in quality and resources between schools in poorer neighborhoods and those with more money. nnOr even simpler, take a drive 10 minutes beyond your cozy neighborhood and see for yourself the heinous conditions children in poorer schools are subjected to. Shame on anyone who thinks that her wanting better for her kids is a crime. Shame on you for believing her children are not entitled to a good education because their mother doesn’t make a big enough pay check. Shame on you.
Scott

I would suggest trying to get a u2018school of nchoiceu2019 law passed in the state where you live. We have had it in my nstate for over 10 years or more and it has worked out great. You apply nto have your children accepted to whatever school you would like them ton go to, doesnu2019t matter what district you live in. It has resulted in nschools improving their academics, safety, and so forth to attract nstudents.
Zach

nnI am appalled by the travesty that her jury and judge callnjustice. How does a felony conviction for sending your kid to a better schoolndistrict that you have a FAMILY member in part of LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUITnOF HAPPINESS.nnn
TCW

I think that this is harsh. There are people nthat are hit and run drivers that get less time then she did. Our nsystem is off track. So in order to make sure that some people stay in nunder the their thumb. They have created a way to make sure that you nare unable to properly educate the next generation. Stay in the HOOD nwhere we put you so that we can keep track or you.
Vanessa – Pittsburgh, PA

Shame on youu00a0Judge Patricia Cosgrove. u00a0This mother didn’t deserve any of this!
D.I.

I hope if you elect your judges in Ohio that this woman hits the pavement the next election. She is not worthy of the robe she wears or the court she presides over. I’m sick as can be over this. Just sick.

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Mother Convicted of Felony for Schooling Children in Neighboring District

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