Former Baltimore County school employee convicted in sex-offense case involving student; sentencing and safeguards in focus
Conviction follows case involving alleged contact with a student in a Baltimore County high school
A former Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) building service worker has been convicted of a sex offense stemming from a criminal case involving a student, closing a key phase of an investigation that began with a report made inside a school.
The defendant, identified in court and police records as Donovan Michaud, was 30 at the time of his 2025 arrest. Investigators alleged he had an inappropriate relationship with a female student at Overlea High School that included exchanging nude images and sexual contact on school property after school hours. The investigation was handled by the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit.
How the case began
Investigators have said the case was initiated after a student spoke with a school resource officer. Charging documents described allegations that the student and Michaud exchanged explicit images and that they had sex in a classroom after school hours. Records described admissions attributed to Michaud about meeting the student in a classroom after school hours.
Publicly available court reporting in related coverage has described the charges as including multiple counts of fourth-degree sex offense. Earlier case reporting also indicated prosecutors alleged additional offenses beyond fourth-degree sex offense, including sex abuse of a minor and assault-related counts, though specific outcomes on each count were not consistently detailed across public summaries.
What fourth-degree sex offense typically signifies in Maryland
In Maryland, fourth-degree sex offense is generally treated as a misdemeanor offense involving prohibited sexual contact or certain other unlawful sexual conduct, with potential penalties that can include incarceration. The exact sentencing exposure depends on the specific subsection of the statute charged and a defendant’s criminal history.
Broader context: school-system cases and administrative actions
The case unfolded amid heightened scrutiny of employee conduct in schools and an increased volume of criminal allegations involving education workers across Maryland jurisdictions in recent years. In Baltimore County, multiple high-profile cases since 2024 and 2025 have included arrests of school-based staff and teachers on allegations ranging from sexual abuse of minors to possession of child sexual abuse material.
In past cases, BCPS has publicly stated that employees accused of serious misconduct are placed on administrative leave and barred from student contact while investigations proceed. In Michaud’s case, earlier reporting described him as a former employee at the time of his arrest.
What happens next
Sentencing: After a conviction, sentencing typically involves review of statutory ranges, any victim-impact statements permitted by law, and consideration of supervision conditions after release.
Sex-offender registration: Depending on the specific conviction and court findings, Maryland law can require registration and reporting obligations that may restrict employment and proximity to schools.
School safeguards: Cases involving alleged misconduct on campus often prompt reviews of after-hours access controls, supervision practices, and reporting pathways for students.
If you or someone you know needs help after sexual abuse or exploitation, confidential support is available through national hotlines and local victim-services providers.
This article will be updated as sentencing details and the final disposition of all counts are confirmed through court records.