JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Duval County School District is investigating after the family of a seventh-grade DCPS student made claims that a substitute at Charger Academy verbally and sexually assaulted their child.
The family is questioning how and when the district filed a formal report of the sexual assault claim. District leaders say the school followed proper protocols. First Coast News is diving into the district's reporting process for sexual assault claims.
According to the district’s website, reports of sexual assault follow an 8-step process, which starts once an allegation is made. If the alleged sexual harassment constitutes a crime, the matter is immediately reported to law enforcement.
Meetings are held with all parties involved before a formal written complaint is filed and the investigation begins. Interviews and evidence will be collected during this time to determine if the claim meets the definition of sexual harassment. The final step is determining if disciplinary actions are needed.
READ MORE: Duval County school substitute accused of verbal, sexual assault by middle school student
Jacqueline Smith-Dunnam is the grandmother of a 13-year-old Charger Academy student. She said during the last week of January, her grandson reported to the principal that a substitute asked him questions of a sexual nature and touched him inappropriately.
Smith-Dunnam said after he told the principal what happened, school leadership didn't call his parents. She also claims they didn't report it to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DEF) or law enforcement until after the family had already done so.
“I think the first thing they should have done was call the parents to let them know an incident occurred and your son may be going through something emotionally. They didn't do that," Jacqueline Smith-Dunnam, grandmother, said.
A spokesperson for DCPS confirmed the district is investigating the incident and added the substitute has been removed from the school and barred from district campuses until the investigation is complete.
The spokesperson said the school leadership followed correct procedures in reporting the incident to DCF, law enforcement, the Office of Professional Standards and the external substitute teacher provider ESS.