Substitute teacher arrested for reportedly threatening middle school students with stun gun

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A substitute teacher was arrested Tuesday for reportedly threatening students at Jefferson Davis Middle School with use of a stun gun.

School principal Nidia Ashby sent a voicemail to parents and guardians about the teacher's arrest and dismissal.

Upon learning of the comments made by the substitute teacher, Duval County School Police and school administrators began investigating.

That substitute teacher, 26-year-old Kiara Ansley, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds, according to DCPS.

According to Ansley's arrest report, "Several students in the classroom wrote statements describing the stun gun the suspect had in her possession." The report also detailed that a student witness, "saw and heard the sound of a tazer."

DCPS said its substitute teacher vendor, Kelly Services, has been informed of the incident "to ensure the substitute will no longer be placed in any of the district's schools."

A statement from Kelly Services says:

Kelly Services is always concerned about reports of inappropriate behavior by one of our employees as the safety of students is our first priority. We are cooperating fully with the investigation of this matter. However, due to employment regulations, we do not disclose details of employee matters publicly."

Ansley was released from jail on Wednesday afternoon, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office online inmate search records. Parents that spoke with Action News Jax were shocked.

"I want to meet with the teachers and they're always ready to meet with me," said one parent who did not want to be identified. "It's my first year here. So far, I don't have any problems with any of them. That really surprised me to hear that."

Cox Media Group