A 27-year-old Ohio school teacher and cheerleading coach has been sentenced to a week in jail after stalking her ex-boyfriend, who had moved on to a new partner. Hannah Freeman, a fourth-grade teacher at North Ridgeville Schools, wept in court as she was handed the sentence for her behaviour following the breakup.
Freeman was charged with several felony counts, including menacing by stalking, trespass, theft, identity fraud and theft of drugs, after police alleged she broke into her ex-boyfriend's car twice and followed him to work at least 33 times over 19 days in a single month. She later accepted a plea deal on lesser charges.
During her sentencing hearing at Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, Freeman told Judge David Matia: 'I regret the incident. I definitely acted out of emotion and I regret that decision that I made that night. I will take steps that are necessary to move on from this incident and you will not see me back here again.'
However, the judge expressed scepticism, stating: 'This is frankly a bizarre breakup between two professionals. The presentencing investigation does not paint a pretty picture of your behaviour Ms. Freeman. You should have known that was over.' He sentenced her to 18 months of probation, with the first seven days to be served in county jail.
Freeman's attorney argued that the sentence was not part of the agreed plea deal, leading to a heated exchange with the judge. The prosecutor's office said the agreement was made because Freeman had no prior criminal history and after consulting with the victim. Police body camera footage showed Freeman being arrested after her ex reported that she stole two backpacks containing two computers and a wallet, valued at $1,100.
Following her arrest, Freeman was placed on administrative leave by the school district, which stated the matter did not pertain directly to school activities and that it would cooperate fully with law enforcement.
