Ohio woman sent to prison for school outburst

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — A judge in northeast Ohio has sentenced a 25-year-old mother to more than a year in prison for a violent outburst at her son’s elementary school in February.

The Summit County judge sentenced Jessica Smallwood of Akron to 14 months this week after she pleaded guilty to three counts of assault that were elevated to felonies because they involved educators.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Smallwood went to the Glover Elementary School cafeteria on Feb. 21 to have breakfast with her 7-year-old son.

Prosecutors say she pushed a teacher and knocked the principal to the ground after being told she needed a visitor’s badge. Police said she also punched a cafeteria worker.

Smallwood’s attorney said she was upset and surprised at the sentence and will seek early release.