A former substitute teacher at a Johns Hopkins University-affiliated daycare is now in state prison in a child sexual abuse material case, and the fallout is landing squarely on the university as federal and local investigators dig in.
Court records show 23-year-old Simone Avery pleaded guilty in September to two distribution counts and is serving a two-year sentence, with long-term consequences waiting when she gets out, according to the Baltimore Sun. Avery will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years and then serve three years of supervised probation.
Johns Hopkins officials say they only learned of Avery's arrest and conviction on Friday, February 27, and called the news "deeply distressing," as the Baltimore Police Department and the FBI opened an inquiry. University leadership clarified that Avery’s arrest and conviction occurred in 2025—well after she had left her position at the daycare—and that she had passed all state and federal background checks during her employment.
Hopkins child care and staffing
Johns Hopkins partners with several child-care programs that serve employees and students. The Homewood Early Learning Center (ELC), where Avery worked as a substitute from June 29, 2023, to May 2, 2024, is operated by a contracted provider, Downtown Baltimore Child Care (DBCC). The university notes that those partnerships, and how staffing works at each site, can vary by center, and its family-programs guidance explains how Hopkins families can access these campus-affiliated options, as outlined on the Johns Hopkins University website.
What investigators are looking at
Officials told the Baltimore Sun it was not immediately clear whether investigators are focused solely on the conduct that led to Avery's plea or if they are probing possible new allegations. Law enforcement has confirmed that while the investigation is active, identified victim families have been notified. At this time, investigators have no information indicating there are additional victims at the DBCC-operated center.
Legal consequences
WBFF/Fox Baltimore reported that Avery's plea in Baltimore City Circuit Court resulted in a two-year prison term, followed by three years of supervised probation and a 25-year sex-offender registration requirement. Distribution of child sexual abuse material is a felony that carries significant penalties, and investigators can seek additional counts if new evidence surfaces.
What Johns Hopkins said
The university told reporters it learned of the arrest and conviction only late last week and described the revelations as "deeply disturbing," according to the Baltimore Sun. Branville Bard Jr., the university's vice president for public safety, said campus leadership was notified recently and is cooperating fully with the ongoing inquiries by law enforcement.
So far, the Baltimore Police Department and the FBI have not said whether they expect to file more charges. Court documents remain the main public record of Avery's plea and sentence, and reporters note that the investigation is still active. Hopkins parents and staff, looking for clarity, are being urged to watch for official statements from the university and formal updates from law enforcement as the case continues to unfold.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect accurate timeline of events and to include additional information from Johns Hopkins University.
