Confessed ex stalker Hannah Freeman sobs in court as she is not given the promised punishment

Hannah Freeman, a confessed stalker and former fourth-grade teacher, burst into tears in a Cuyahoga County, Ohio courtroom on July 17 as she was sentenced to jail and probation for stalking her ex-boyfriend.

After the sentence was read, the courtroom grew tense when Freeman’s attorney, Michael Kinlin, objected to the sentence and insisted there had been a prior agreement on the terms. According to Kinlin, there had been an agreed-upon sentence between the defense and prosecution, implying he believed it would involve no jail time, perhaps solely probation, and possibly house arrest.

“Your bad practice is not my problem”

Judge David Matia pushed back, saying no such agreement had been made with the court and criticized Kinlin for failing to communicate with the bench before the hearing. “Your bad practice is not my problem,” the judge told him.

Instead, Freeman, 27, received a sentence of seven days in jail, 18 months of probation, 90 days of GPS monitoring, and house arrest with work-release privileges. Judge Matia also ordered her to undergo mental health counseling and imposed a no-contact order with the victim. Freeman was visibly emotional as the sentence was read, wiping tears from her face as she stood at the defense table.

Freeman’s guilty plea

Freeman had pleaded guilty in June to three misdemeanors—disorderly conduct, obstructing official business, and possessing criminal tools—under a deal in which prosecutors dropped several felony charges, including stalking, theft, and identity fraud. Her attorney argued that sentencing had been previously negotiated, but the judge made clear that no final terms were approved by the court and that he retained full discretion.

In a statement before sentencing, Freeman expressed remorse and said she regretted letting her emotions influence her behavior. She said she intended to take the necessary steps to move on from the incident.

What did Hannah Freeman do?

Prosecutors said Freeman went to her ex-boyfriend’s workplace 33 times over 19 days after their breakup in late 2024, despite being told to stay away. She was also accused of taking two backpacks from the building, which contained a laptop, wallet, and other items valued at over $1,000.

She was arrested in November 2024 and placed on administrative leave from Ranger High-Tech Academy in North Ridgeville, where she taught fourth grade. Her contract expired at the end of the 2024–25 school year.

Freeman is expected to begin serving her sentence immediately. She will remain under court supervision during her probation and is barred from contacting the victim.