Norwalk - A mother pleaded guilty Wednesday to fraudulently enrolling her son in the wrong school district.

Tonya McDowell entered her plea under the Alford Doctrine, which means she does not admit guilt but concedes the state has enough evidence to convict her. She faces about five years in prison and probation at sentencing and will be ordered to pay up to $6,200 in restitution to Norwalk.

McDowell, 34, was homeless when she was charged with felony larceny last year. Authorities said she used a baby sitter's address to enroll her son in kindergarten in Norwalk when he should have attended schools in Bridgeport, her last permanent address.

Her case drew national attention and support from civil rights leaders and other advocates who wanted the charge dismissed.

McDowell told police she was living in a van and occasionally slept at a Norwalk shelter or a friend's Bridgeport apartment when she enrolled her 6-year-old at Norwalk's Brookside Elementary School.

McDowell, who entered her plea in Norwalk Superior Court, was charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny when she was arrested April 14. Police said she stole $15,686 worth of educational services from Norwalk.

She also pleaded guilty to four counts of sale of narcotics, which will be included in her prison sentence.

In a separate case, she pleaded guilty Feb. 7 to selling narcotics.

The Hearst Connecticut Media Group reports that McDowell's lawyer, Darnell Crosland, said she agreed to accept a plea bargain rather than continue fighting the charges even though she insists she's not guilty.

"You shouldn't be arrested for stealing a free education," Crosland said. "It's just wrong."

AP-WF-02-22-12 2323GMT