Teacher Gets 25 Years for Child Molestation

(Sylvester, Georgia) In October 2005, 24-year-old third-grade teacher at Holley Elementary School, Georgianne Harrell, pleaded not guilty to child molestation involving students in her class. It was alleged that Harrell performed oral sex on a 9-year-old boy, let students peek down her blouse, and ultimately slashed her wrists with glass in front of the class.

The day before jury selection for her trial was to begin last week, Harrell negotiated an agreement with District Attorney Paul Bowden and pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated child molestation. In return for her plea, Worth County Superior Court Judge Gary McCorvey sentenced Harrell to 25 years in prison without possibility of parole.

Without the plea, Harrell faced a possible life sentence and there were numerous teachers and students lined up to testify against her. She likely felt that her chances of avoiding life imprisonment were slim.

Harrell's sentence is noteworthy since female sexual offenders are typically treated with leniency. There is nothing lenient about 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole.