Florida Elementary School Principal Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Student in Classroom

On May 11, 33-year-old Dontay "Donnie" Akeem Prophet, principal of the Destiny Leadership Academy in Ocala, Florida, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13 years old. This arrest follows an incident where Prophet allegedly attacked a 13-year-old student in a classroom for over an hour.

The incident was first reported on May 10, when a physical disturbance between the principal and the student was witnessed at the school. Surveillance footage from the classroom allegedly showed Prophet preventing the child from leaving, physically abusing him, and restraining him on the ground while using a chokehold. The victim was also reportedly hit with a charging cable, sustaining injuries.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Following the incident, Prophet was questioned by a deputy from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Despite claiming that he was trying to prevent harm to the child, the evidence led to his arrest and detainment at the Marion County Jail without bond.

Upon hearing about the incident, the school reportedly fired Prophet, and they did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Additionally, court records revealed that Prophet had previously faced arrest in 2019 on molestation charges from a 2017 incident, which were later dropped for "interfering with child custody." As a result, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and probation.