Criminal defense attorney and Past-President of The Florida Bar Michelle Suskauer spoke with Action News Jax following the arrest of a Duval County Public Schools security guard accused of inappropriate conduct involving a student.
The arrest comes amid several recent cases involving school employees and students across Northeast Florida, raising broader concerns about school safety, oversight, and the responsibility schools have in protecting children.
Suskauer explained that when multiple incidents occur in close succession, it raises questions about whether existing systems and safeguards are working effectively.
“Sometimes these things happen, and when they happen in rapid succession, over and over again, the system is broken,” Suskauer said.
She emphasized the importance of thorough background checks, ongoing evaluations, and maintaining trust between students and authority figures within schools.
“Children are told, you know, speak to law enforcement, speak to security officers, but in this particular case, it was a security officer,” Suskauer said. “Parents are already concerned with school safety, because of weapons, because of shootings, and you would hope that the individuals that are there in place in school are going to have the children’s best interests at heart.”
Suskauer also encouraged parents to maintain open communication with their children about difficult topics involving safety and inappropriate conduct.
“It’s very important for parents not to put their heads in the sand, but have these conversations, these difficult, unfortunate conversations with your children,” she said. “Because ultimately, this is what may make the difference between your child being an advocate for themselves or a victim.”
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DCPS Security Guard Arrest Highlights Recent Cases of Inappropriate Conduct Involving Students (Action News Jax)
