# Ex-teacher sentenced to 3 years for abusing student

> A Baltimore County judge imposed a harsher sentence than guidelines recommended for a Spanish teacher's sexual abuse of a middle school student.
- Title: Ex-teacher sentenced to 3 years for abusing student | Shortify
- Summary: A Baltimore County judge imposed a harsher sentence than guidelines recommended for a Spanish teacher's sexual abuse of a middle school student. A former…
- Keywords: sydnie haywood, woodlawn middle school, baltimore county, sexual abuse, teacher misconduct, sentencing, circuit judge dennis robinson jr., student exploitation, sex offender registration, school safety, news, local
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/community/criminal-justice/sydnie-haywood-sentenced-Y7SYD52WTRFAJIYTBBSYZIHVLQ
- Author: Dylan Segelbaum
- Published: 2026-09-18T16:41:33.496+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sydnie haywood, woodlawn middle school, baltimore county, sexual abuse, teacher misconduct, sentencing, circuit judge dennis robinson jr., student exploitation, sex offender registration, school safety, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

A former Woodlawn Middle School teacher received three years in prison for sexually abusing a student, with the judge citing the need to protect school safety and send a message to those in positions of authority.