A homeless woman from Bridgeport, Connecticut, was sentenced to five years in prison for enrolling her son in a school district where he did not reside.

In 2011, Tanya McDowell wanted a better education for her then 5-year-old son Andrew, and enrolled him in an elementary school in the neighboring town of Norwalk — using her son’s babysitter’s address for registration papers. At the time, she and her son were living out of her van and homeless shelters, and spending nights at an apartment in Bridgeport, the Connecticut Post had reported.

The mother was arrested and charged with first-degree larceny and sentenced to five years behind bars for the “stolen” education, confirmed with PEOPLE by the Newark Courthouse Chief Clerk’s Office.

“Who would have thought that wanting a good education for my son would put me in this predicament?” McDowell, who was also facing drug charges that she later served time for, said in court at the time of her sentencing. “I have no regrets seeking a better education for him, I do regret my participation in this drug case.”

Too harsh naa! And this kind of crime is legal in nigeria

Very harsh judgement, who will now take care of the 5yr old son. Thank God is not a crime over here, I have used fake address so many times, during job search