Tanya McDowell, homeless mom charged with "stealing" education for son, arrested on drug charges

By: Camille Mann
Topics: Daily Blotter

Tanya McDowell, homeless mom charged with "stealing" and education son, arrested on drug charges

Tanya McDowell, left, with Conn. NAACP Conference President Scott X. Exdaile, outside state superior court in Norwalk, Conn., Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

/ AP Photo

(CBS/WFSB/AP) HARTFORD, Conn. - Tanya McDowell, a homeless single mother accused of illegally enrolling her son in the wrong school district, appeared in court Monday after being arrested Friday for allegedly selling crack cocaine and marijuana to undercover officers near another school in Norwalk.

Norwalk investigators picked up McDowell on three drug warrants and then found more drugs on her during the arrest, police said, according to CBS affiliate WFSB.

In court on Monday, McDowell's attorney said the drug cases are in retaliation to all of the negative publicity the city has received after she enrolled her son, now 6, in kindergarten last fall under her babysitter's address.

"If this is a way to respond to her fighting back, this is a bad way to do it. It's a terrible message," Darnell Crosland, McDowell's attorney said, reports the station.

In April, McDowell made national headlines after she was charged with stealing an education for her son. McDowell said she was homeless and had been staying with different people while her son was in school, the station reports.

Since then, McDowell's case has garnered even more attention and support from civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, who headlined a rally last week outside the school McDowell's son had attended.

In the new case, McDowell faces 29 charges, including drug manufacturing and possession near a school. Her bond was set for $200,000.

She remains in jail.

While her attorney tried arguing the recent drug investigation was targeted at McDowell, prosecutors and Norwalk police said the case was a routine reaction to complaints about drugs.

"I'm a little disappointed by attorney Crosland suggesting that I put together a task force. I have more more important things to worry about. It's absolutely ridiculous," said Norwalk police Chief Harry Rilling, reports the station.

McDowell is due to return to court July 12 in the enrollment case.

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by Bojax39 June 14, 2011 1:12 PM EDT: "In April, McDowell made national headlines after she was charged with stealing an education for her son."

Illegally neglect to send your kid to school and be charged with denying him an education. Send him to school and be charged with "stealing" an education for the kid?

That has got to be the DUMBEST I've seen since voters elected Bush & Clinton twice. Looks like the nuts are running the asylum in that fair city.; Reply to this comment


by gadfly65 June 14, 2011 12:03 PM EDT: I hadn't heard of this before. I'm not sure about the drug charges, but arresting someone for "stealing an education" for her child sounds like another aspect of the right's war on lower-to-middle income people.; Reply to this comment


by Zann-Zel June 14, 2011 11:02 AM EDT: stealing an education? How ridiculous! Where did they want her to put him in school? Or are they suggesting that homeless children don't deserve an education?

But if she is selling crack - he's better off without her!; Reply to this comment


by dr_taam June 14, 2011 9:00 AM EDT: just waiting for the racist comments to start with this one.
my first reaction to this was: despite HER situation, she is desperately trying to push her son out of it and into an educated, better life. Yes, she MAY have been selling crack, but jeez, let's see YOU get out of a situation like hers. (YOU try being a black woman on the streets in TODAY'S USA!!) Ok, now it's time for all you armchair Glen Beck fans to let loose:; Reply to this comment


by Namoric June 14, 2011 8:46 AM EDT: Original Headline, "Tanya McDowell, homeless mom charged with "stealing" and education son, arrested on drug charges"

Changed fairly quick - but it made me laugh.; Reply to this comment