JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said that it has arrested one of its school crossing guards for child abuse.
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Detectives said they were made aware of an incident involving school crossing guard Theresa L. Mitchell on February 16.
When JSO arrived, they spoke with the caller who told police they saw “nasty bruises” on her child’s face and had made a DCF report.
Police talked to one of the children and learned that she was beat with a stick on her legs because she had skipper tutoring classes. She also told police that she was uninjured.
Another child was interviewed next and told police he was also beat with a stick for not refilling the refrigerator soda’s. He tried to block the stick, but was then hit in the face and told, “you deserve this because you’re bad.” Mitchell then gave the child an ice pack for his eye.
Witnesses told police the children recieve “whoopings” as punishment.
Following an investigation initiated by the Department of Children and Families, Mitchell was arrested for child abuse without great bodily harm.
Mitchell was employed by JSO in August 2020 and had served as a crossing guard for 3 years. JSO said she was fired and is no longer employed with the agency.
Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold.
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