Local

UPDATE: Charges dropped against Highlands Middle School security guard

Duval County Public Schools

(� 2019 Cox Media Group.)

Jacksonville, FL — UPDATE- April 8, 2020 6:15 PM: According to court records, the charges against Gregory Holmes have been dropped.
ORIGINAL STORY- February 13, 2020 5:35 PM : A security guard at Highlands Middle School has been arrested by Duval County School Police.

The school district tells us that Gregory Holmes is facing child abuse charges stemming from a February 11th incident involving a student at Highlands Middle School. No other details surrounding the incident have been released. WOKV is told a redacted arrest report is not available yet either.

The district says Holmes was initially hired by the Duval County school district in April 2019, but then resigned in August 2019. He was then re-hired in October 2019.

At this time, the district says Holmes remains employed. If he is able to return to work, the district says he will be re-assigned to a role with no student contact and that an administrative investigation will follow the criminal investigation.

Below is the message Highlands Middle School parents received: 

"Hello Highlands Middle School Families, this is Principal Wilcox calling.

I hope you know that we have the highest expectations for all of the staff of our school, and when a member of our staff falls well short of those expectations, I want to make sure that you are aware.

Today, one of our security guards, Mr. Gregory Holmes, was taken into custody by our school police department for child abuse charges stemming from an incident involving one of our students.

I am extremely disappointed to share this news with you, but I hope it demonstrates the extent we will go to protect our children. Please know that we will continue to work diligently to protect the welfare of our students and take decisive action anytime an incident like this happen in our district.

Thank you for your attention to this message and as always if you have any questions or feedback regarding your child's experience at Highlands Middle School, do not hesitate to reach out to me through the school. Thanks again and goodbye."

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