Kelley Williams-Bolar, the Akron, Ohio mother of two who falsified documents to get her children in a better (and safer) school district, has been denied a pardon from the Ohio Parole Board. We’ve covered this story on BMWK back in January, and it seems almost ready to come to a final conclusion. Ohio Gov. John Kasich can still grant a pardon for Ms. Williams-Bolar, and several groups have been lobbying on her behalf.
Kelley Williams-Bolar, of Akron, served nine days in jail earlier this year for falsifying information on records that she used to send her daughters to a school outside the city. She said her conviction for felony records tampering threatens her efforts to earn her teacher’s license.
The board said Williams-Bolar could have solved her schooling situation legitimately and was dishonest before and after her conviction.
“Ms. Williams-Bolar was faced with a no more difficult situation than any other working parent who must ensure that their children are safe during, before and after school hours in their absence,” it said in its unanimous ruling. “Most parents find legitimate and legal options to address this issue. Ms. Williams-Bolar’s only response was to be deceitful.”
The board also rejected Williams-Bolar’s arguments that her conviction harmed her future plans, noting that she has hardly made the efforts necessary to obtain a degree to teach.
Williams-Bolar had told the parole board in July that she was remorseful for lying and would do things differently if given the chance.
“I love my kids and I would have done anything for my children,” an emotional Williams-Bolar told the board.
An attorney for Williams-Bolar said Friday he was disappointed but confident that Gov. John Kasich, who has the final say, will see things differently.
What do you think about the parole board’s decision, BMWK family?
Ronald Pacman Martin says
Get this woman out of jail! She’s doing time for wanting better for her children. WTH kind of sense does that make?? SMH @ the system and government!
Dawn Wood says
You have got to be kidding me, all this woman wanted is a better education for her kids & this is what she gets!!! Isn’t there worse crap in the world to be worried about come on
sunt97 says
She’s not in jail. I live in Akron and there are a lot of people that don’t think she deserves a pardon. With all the vouchers and other programs we have in our city she could have easily done something else. She lied and then said she was deployed in the military which was a blatant lie. The district gave her an out and she refused it, so it is what it is. There are more important issues in Ohio the the gov needs to look at.
Mrs Cluff says
I agree. they did their due diligence and she should have taken that out. Not to mention that it has been found that she is not close to earning this so called degree. So it sounds like she is an habitual liar and just won’t learn her lesson. So times a lie has to be taught with the sacrifice of one lamb to show the masses.
Rochelle Carter SPHR says
There are better things for our government to hand out felony convictions for. Unless she acquired funds along with enrolling in a better school, this situation is really not worthy of the money spent prosecuting her. Obviously she wasn’t aware of another way to help her children, no matter how many programs they claim to have not everyone understands they qualify. I say pardon her and move on to real criminals. Making her a felon jeopardizes her and her daughters, limiting what kind of job she can get and where they can live, which will lead to even fewer options in her future.
sunt97 says
Yeah she was aware. There billboards and pamphlets everywhere if you want in the voucher program. She didn’t attempt to try. That is her fault for not attempting to find out.
Jerry Simms says
This Case is FRIVOLOUS. 1. a: of little weight or importance b: having no sound basis (as in fact or law) 2. a: lacking in seriousness.. Had she been “Mrs.LILY WHITE” the case would have never surfaced in the media much less in a court of law. I’m Caucasian, educated, in an interracial marriage with beautiful twin girls, I know the narrow minds too well of these folks.
Smalchge says
@ Jerry, I wish I had more friends who were like you …Honest enough to SAY the truth about whats REALLY going on in this country. So many hide behind denial * Thank you for speaking the truth .
Jerry Simms says
Thank You, If you go into my “Notes” on my facebook page @[email protected] or click on my name you’ll read the words of someone who Cares. “Let’s Face It” The Commonwealth of England forced upon the American Indians Murder/Rape/Trial Before Jury/Take What We Want attitudes and then Later they passed the same treatment on the Black Slaves. Believe Me I’m not playing the Race Card. Im just speaking from the experience(s) I had of breaking bread at the dinner tables of Wealth in White-little did they know where I stood Until they met my (Colored Girl) Girlfriends/Wife. I was raised Color Blind by a Mother of English/welsh bloodline and a Father of northern Ireland, both parents raised us on the concepts of focus on those who equally give to you-in this case it was always the Black Communities. So for all those reading this Stop beating down Your Brother/Sister. We all F… Up in life, Support this woman in a positive manner, after all wouldn’t we do it for the nice little white girl at the office who is calling you the “N” word around her friends. As I Said before from experience “””I KNOW””
lets all find something positive about this mother and support her for fact that she a living, breathing, red blooded creature no different then us. Sure we all F… Up sometimes but we all need to find some positive. After all White Corporate America Loves Conflict, the more conflict the more money in their wallets. LOVE * FORGIVE* LET THE DUMBS..T GO..
Mimi Lemelle says
WOW! I think the real issue here is her moral compass…. while I do think that most parents would do almost anything to enhance their child’s future, it appears that this woman continued to lie and lie some more when she was caught. I think that in itself makes a pardon unacceptable, because it was a matter of integrity, which actually is ironic, considering politicians, lawyers, and state lawmakers are the epitome of sneakiness. However, I don’t think the crime justifies a FELONY, maybe a misdemeanor, if even that. There is so much more going on in the world, this seems tedious. Instead of this being a focus, the government should be worried about how they are going to create jobs and stop serious VIOLENT CRIME!
Smalchge says
Honestly, the parole board needs to get their asses kicked. Anyone with a thinking process as theirs have completely lost touch of this society & whats REAL in the good ole U.S. of A.
sunt97 says
So I guess you guys are saying if you want better for yourself and children you should lie and tell them to lie too. Now that’s showing them the way.
Peace, Love and Chocolate,
Tiffany
Jaykalkyn says
I don’t think that’s what they are saying at all. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t worthy of so much time, exposure, money, etc. No one was hurt, no one was killed, move on to what’s really important, really! I’m a proponent of following the rules but depending on where her kids went to school before, I can’t say that I blame her. Sure she should be punished but as a felon, I think not. That puts her on the same level as hard core criminals. I think the point is that there is so much more important stuff with further reaching effects than this item. I’m sure Ohio needs jobs, more police protection, better health care, etc. Just like everybody else. Stop concentrating on frivilous nonsense and get on to something more important. That is all.
Sensi says
Her kids should have been going to Akron school. Akron schools, with the exception of a couple in the whole district, are HORRIBLE!