Teacher sentenced to 3 years prison

A Baltimore County judge ordered former Woodlawn Middle School Spanish teacher Sydnie Haywood to serve three years in prison for sexually abusing and exploiting a student, exceeding sentencing guidelines.

Judge emphasizes school safety

Circuit Judge Dennis Robinson Jr. said schools should be a safe space for children and that Haywood violated the trust between teachers and students. The longer sentence could deter others in authority, he said.

“School should be a close second.”

Abuse occurred during 2019-20 school year

Prosecutors said Haywood, then a Spanish teacher, asked to follow the student on Instagram during the 2019-20 school year. They later socialized, and there was sexual interaction about 90% of the time. The student was between 14 and 16.

Student struggled with guilt

Assistant State's Attorney Kayla York said the student could not endure testifying at trial. At one point, the student told York, "I'm sorry I'm such a bad victim," which York found heartbreaking.

“I'm sorry I'm such a bad victim.”

Defense argued for probation instead

Haywood's attorney Warren Brown asked the judge to strike the guilty finding and offer probation before judgment, describing the crime as an isolated incident and a relationship that violated the law.

“There was a relationship. It was a violation of the law, but it was a relationship nonetheless.”

Haywood faces long-term consequences

After serving three years, Haywood will spend five years on supervised probation and must register as a sex offender for 15 years. She was taken into custody immediately to begin serving her sentence on nine counts of fourth-degree sexual offense.