Deonte Carraway is a former school aide at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School in Glenarden. (Courtesy Photo)
The former school aide at Judge Sylvania Woods Elementary School in Glenarden, Maryland pled not guilty in federal court March 4 in a sex abuse case that has rocked Prince George’s County. Deonte Carraway’s arraignment hearing was held in the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.
Carraway, 22, sat between two federal public defenders, Lakeytria W. Felder and Branch Chief John C. Chamble. Carraway was charged with 13 federal counts of sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography involving 11 victims, ages 9 to 12. Each count carries a minimum sentence of 15 years. Carraway’s bond was set at $1 million.
The Prince George’s County Police Department ( PGPD) reports the number of victims now numbers 17, with ages ranging from 9 to 13. Detectives have so far uncovered 40 videos that show victims performing sexual acts on each other or alone under the direction of Carraway.
“I’m no child of God for doing this,” Carraway said in court. “I know I’m grown.”
A third lawsuit was filed March 2 against a teacher, Gwendolyn McNair, who according to news reports, did not take action when approached by a fourth grader attempting to report the abuse.
At a Feb. 11 meeting, school officials told parents that a taskforce will be formed to make policy changes. However, news reports indicate nothing has been done so far to address changing school protocol. According to the Washington Post, the City of Glenarden and Mayor Dennis Smith are also being sued.