A newly appointed Denver Public Schools board member hopes her constituents can look past her guilty plea to a child abuse charge from 2006.
MiDian Holmes was named the new board director for northeast Denver on Tuesday to fill vacated board member Landri Taylor’s seat.
Holmes, 35, was charged with wrongs to minors in 2005, according to court documents. She was sentenced to parenting classes and one year of supervised probation. The case later was dismissed.
In 2006, Holmes was charged and pleaded guilty to Class 3 misdemeanor negligent child abuse charge with no injuries. She was sentenced to 15 days in jail, which she did not have to serve, and a year of supervised probation. A Class 1 misdemeanor charge of child abuse was dismissed as part of a plea agreement, according to Denver County court records.
“As a single mom raising three children, I know firsthand how hard it is to be in that position to ensure that everything that is supposed to happen happens,” Holmes told The Denver Post on Wednesday evening. “I love my children more than anything in this world. This was 10 years ago. It’s a circumstance and situation that was unfortunate. Looking back, it helps me to recognize what inequities are out there.”
Holmes said the charges stem from one morning 10 years ago when she was getting ready for work and did not notice her 2-year-old daughter leaving their apartment and wandering outside.
A neighbor saw the child, took her to the apartment’s leasing office and the police were called, Holmes said. The police then took Holmes’ daughter, she said.
Holmes disclosed the charges to the board prior to the election.
“She was transparent about this,” said DPS spokeswoman Nancy Mitchell. “She truthfully responded to all of the information.”
DPS stands by Holmes, who is scheduled to be sworn in Monday.
“We still think she’s a great candidate for the position,” Mitchell said, “and she’s eager to move on.”
A person convicted of Class 3 misdemeanor child abuse did not physically harm a child but was negligent in providing care.
On her application for the board position, Holmes answered “no” to the question: “Have you ever been convicted of Class A misdemeanor?” Colorado law classifies misdemeanors by numbers, not letters.
The application states that “potential applicants will be subject to a criminal background check.”
Wednesday evening, Holmes said she is ready to start new role.
“My hope is that this doesn’t become a distraction for the work that needs to be done,” Holmes said. “While this has been a tough first day, I certainly hope that all the parents, teachers and students understand that a tough day is worth it for me. I’m looking forward to serving.”
A DPS news release sent out after her appointment said Holmes graduated from the University of Denver. Holmes’ resume she submitted for the board position does say she attended DU but does not specify that she graduated.
Mitchell said that this was her error.
Holmes, a Montbello High School graduate, attended DU part-time during the winter and spring quarters of 2001, said university spokesman Ben Gerig.
The resume also said Holmes was appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper to “offer a community and parent perspective” to the State Council for Educator Effectiveness Appointment. Holmes was also a parent advocate and leader for STAND for Children, a nonprofit education advocacy group.
Executive director for STAND for Children Jeani Frickey Saito said Holmes previously disclosed the information around the charges to her.
“After learning about the details, I felt comfortable that this in no way disqualified her from being a leader in STAND,” Frickey Saito said. “I would also say the details I’m aware of won’t disqualify her for being a school board member. Any parent can relate to what happened. I know MiDian was a stronger parent for going through this.”
More than 20 people applied for the opening, and the board narrowed the field to 10 finalists in March.
This story was first reported by KDVR.
Denver Post staff writer Jordan Steffen contributed to this report.
Elizabeth Hernandez: ehernandez @denverpost.com or @ehernandez
