Parents speak out after ‘Teacher of the Year’ at Darnell-Cookman arrested

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 60-year-old Caroline Lee, who was recently nominated for Duval County Public Schools’ “Teacher of the Year” award, made her first appearance in court on a third-degree felony child abuse charge. Lee was told by the judge she can’t contact the alleged victim or enter the campus.

Her arrest left several parents shocked.

RELATED: Nominated Jacksonville ‘Teacher of the Year’ makes first court appearance on child abuse charge

“We’re hoping it’s not true because we love her,” a parent said.

A mother who spoke with Action News Jax but didn’t want her name shared, said her daughter is in one of Lee’s English classes and always thought highly of her.

“We were very sad, my daughter was upset she was almost crying she absolutely loves her,” the parent said. “She’s an amazing, amazing lady.”

According to the police report, DCPS made an Instagram post congratulating Lee on her award, and a student commented on the post saying, “Isn’t this the teacher who thought it was okay to use the N word...”

Lee responded that she had only used the word in the context of discussing the book “Of Mice and Men” and not outside the classroom.

The report stated Lee then brought the student to her classroom and shut the door. The student claimed Lee reached across the table where they were sitting and struck her in the face with the heel of her palm. It said the student’s nose was bleeding and that Lee continued to hit her on top of her head while swearing at her.

Police conducted an interview with Lee after it happened, and she said she had wanted to impress upon the student that she was not racist and a nice person.

Lee stated she didn’t physically harm the student but couldn’t explain the bloody nose.

Action News Jax went to Lee’s last known registered address, where a man who answered the door declined to comment.

Lee has since been released on her own recognizance, which means no bond was needed.

Parents who spoke with Action News Jax said this isn’t like her at all.

STORY: Suggestive texts intended for teen not enough for an arrest

“She makes everybody feel warm and welcomed, we’re just floored by this,” the mother said.

The report said Lee was arrested based on video footage and visible injury to the student. It also said Lee described her range of emotions as angry, upset, and disappointed.

Lee’s next court date will be November 22.

©2021 Cox Media Group