Lessons WE Should Have Learned from School Volunteer Deonte Carraway

The Deonte Carraway case in Prince George’s County, Maryland, revealed significant failures in the school system’s handling of red flags and warning signs. Below is a timeline of missed opportunities and red flags that, if addressed earlier, might have prevented further harm to the victims:

Timeline of Missed Red Flags in the Deonte Carraway Case

2015

• Early 2015: Carraway begins working as a teacher’s aide at Judge Sylvania W. Woods Elementary School in Glenarden, Maryland. He is assigned to assist in classrooms and work with students individually.
• Throughout 2015: Carraway is observed spending excessive one-on-one time with students, often taking them out of class for extended periods. Some staff members express concerns about his behavior but do not formally report it.

December 2015

• December 2015: A parent reports to school officials that Carraway had inappropriate contact with their child. The parent claims Carraway was touching students inappropriately and taking photos of them. The school does not immediately report the allegations to law enforcement or child protective services.

January 2016

• Early January 2016: Another parent raises concerns about Carraway’s behavior, alleging that he had been sending inappropriate text messages to students. The school does not take immediate action to remove Carraway from contact with children.
• Mid-January 2016: A student reports to a teacher that Carraway had touched them inappropriately. The teacher informs school administrators, but no formal report is made to law enforcement or child protective services.
• Late January 2016: A school counselor becomes aware of additional allegations against Carraway but does not escalate the matter to authorities. Carraway continues to work at the school and have access to students.

February 2016

• February 1, 2016: After a parent directly contacts law enforcement, Carraway is arrested. By this time, investigators discover that Carraway had allegedly abused at least 17 children over several months. He is charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse of minors, including producing and distributing child pornography.Authorities believe Carraway may have abused at least 17 children, ranging in age from 9 to 13 years old.

October 2016

• October 20: Carraway pleads guilty to 23 counts of sexual abuse and child pornography charges as part of a plea deal. The plea spares the victims from having to testify in court.

December 2016

• December 15: Carraway is sentenced to 100 years in prison, with all but 75 years suspended. He is also required to register as a sex offender for life.

Key Missed Red Flags

1. Excessive One-on-One Time: Carraway was frequently seen taking students out of class for extended periods, which should have raised concerns about his interactions with children.
2. Parent Complaints: Multiple parents reported concerns about Carraway’s behavior, including inappropriate touching and texting, but these complaints were not acted upon promptly.
3. Student Reports: At least one student reported inappropriate touching to a teacher, but the report was not escalated to authorities.
4. Failure to Report: School officials failed to report the allegations to law enforcement or child protective services, as required by Maryland law.
5. Lack of Oversight: Carraway’s behavior was not monitored or investigated by school administrators, even after multiple red flags were raised.

Aftermath and Systemic Failures

• The case exposed significant gaps in the school system’s policies and procedures for handling allegations of abuse.
• Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) faced criticism for its failure to protect students and for delaying the reporting of allegations to authorities.
• The scandal led to changes in Maryland state law and PGCPS policies, including mandatory reporting requirements and increased training for school staff on recognizing and responding to signs of abuse.

This timeline highlights the systemic failures and missed opportunities that allowed Carraway’s abuse to continue unchecked. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and prompt action in protecting children from harm.