School Secretary Changes Daughter’s Grades

A high school secretary has taken helicopter parenting to a whole new level—a criminal one. Carolina Maria McNeal decided that she’d better her daughter’s future not by helping her study or by helping her become a well-rounded, happy young women—rather, McNeal decided to tamper with public records.

Throughout her daughter Brittany’s junior year, McNeal used the passwords of three coworkers (without their permission, naturally) to change over 200 test scores, including raising Brittany’s SAT scores and lowering the test scores of two other students so that Brittany would rank higher in her graduating class.

Besides humiliating Brittany for life, McNeal has taught her daughter that she’s not smart or capable enough to succeed on her own—and that “getting ahead” at all costs is the only thing that matters in life.

McNeal has been charged with 29 counts of unlawful use of a computer and 29 counts of tampering with public records, both of which are felonies punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 and jail time of up to seven years.

There’s no question that McNeal should at least face a hefty fine, but I’m divided over whether I’d like to see her behind bars. She has so abominably screwed up her daughter’s childhood that I think it amounts to a form of abuse. Still, growing up with a mom in jail would hardly make Brittany’s tough childhood any easier. One thing I’m sure about—Brittany needs and deserves access to a phenomenal therapist as soon as possible.

Do you think that McNeal should serve jail time, pay a hefty fine, or both?

Photo: Parentdish

Related Posts:

• Woman Busted For Babysitting Her Neighbors’ Kids
• This Mom Gets It: Her Kid Isn’t the One Who Needs Help
• Man Arrested for Kissing Daughter
• America’s Top Public High Shools
• Most Juvenile Inmates Need Therapy, Not Jail Time

Tags: college, grades, helicopter parent, school secretary, test scores