Jessica Clark is a mother in Miami County, Ohio, currently facing two felony charges of tampering with records—simply for enrolling her son in a public school district he had attended for 11 years.

There is no victim, no stolen money, and no harm. Yet she is being prosecuted over what amounts to a school residency dispute.

If convicted, Jessica could face up to six years in prison—just for trying to provide her son with stability during a time of personal transition.

Jessica and her son were longtime residents of the school district. When they had to move, they relocated to an adjacent district, but her son remained enrolled in the only district he had ever known.

Like many parents in difficult situations, Jessica listed an address that would allow her son to remain in that district. There was no intent to defraud, no stolen funds, and no disruption to the school. Yet instead of handling the matter through school policy, private individuals—motivated by personal bias—hired a lawyer and a private investigator, who escalated the situation to the prosecutor’s office.

Now she’s facing felony charges and prison time, not because she caused harm, but because she tried to protect her son’s sense of stability.

Unlike many other states, Ohio does not offer real school choice. In states with more flexible enrollment policies, Jessica’s decision might have been legal—or even encouraged. Instead, Ohio’s strict rules are being used to criminalize a mother for doing what she believed was best for her child.

Jessica’s case mirrors the 2011 prosecution of Kelley Williams-Bolar, another Ohio mother charged under nearly identical circumstances. In that case, the governor stepped in to reduce the charges, recognizing the injustice. Jessica deserves that same level of compassion and review.

This kind of prosecution is not just excessive—it’s selective, punitive, and deeply unfair.

We respectfully urge:

 • That the charges against Jessica Clark be dismissed,

 • That the court stop pursuing prison time for a nonviolent, victimless allegation,

 • And that Ohio leaders take action to prevent similar prosecutions until real school choice and parental rights are protected in this state.

No parent should face prison for trying to keep their child in a school where they feel safe, supported, and stable.

Sign this petition to support Jessica Clark and stand against the criminalization of everyday decisions made by parents across Ohio.