Florida School Employee Investigated After Admitting He Wanted to Kill 6-Year-Old Student
SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA — A paraprofessional at Sabal Point Elementary School in Longwood has resigned after confessing to disturbing and violent thoughts involving a 6-year-old student, according to a sheriff’s office report and court filings obtained by WESH 2 News.
Staff Member Self-Reported Disturbing Thoughts
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said the unnamed employee, who worked as a teacher’s aide, told the school resource deputy on September 24 that he had “concerning thoughts” about harming a child in his classroom.
According to court documents, the man told deputies that he had grown frustrated with a 6-year-old student and had thoughts of cutting her throat with a knife the following day. He also admitted that on his way to work, he imagined beating the girl to death inside the classroom.
Risk Protection Petition Filed
The disturbing statements led the Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) to file a petition for a risk protection order — a legal measure that can prohibit individuals deemed dangerous from possessing firearms or entering schools.
The filing stated that the man “poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to himself or others in the near future.”
Deputies said he also told them that while working in the school cafeteria, he had previously imagined bringing a gun to school and shooting students.
“While he explained this to deputies, he imitated the sounds of gunshots — boom, boom, boom,” the court filing stated.
Parents Demand Answers After Reports Surface
Parents rushed to Sabal Point Elementary Friday afternoon after social media posts circulated, claiming a school employee had made threats.
Many parents said they learned of the incident through Facebook neighborhood groups rather than the school itself, prompting confusion and fear.
“It makes me terrified for our children,” said parent Laura Mulconrey. “The principal should have said what she was able to say to the parents. Then, we wouldn’t have this process where everyone is coming to get their kids from the school.”
Principal Shannon Stokes later sent a message to families confirming that the employee self-reported the thoughts, was immediately placed on administrative leave, and has not been on campus since the incident.
“The paraprofessional self-reported concerning thoughts to the school resource deputy on September 24,” Stokes wrote. “He was immediately placed on leave pending investigation and has since tendered his resignation.”
Prior Incident Surfaces From Earlier This Year
WESH 2 also obtained a February 13 sheriff’s office report showing that the same man was found disoriented along Alafaya Trail in Oviedo, allegedly performing a sexual act in public. Deputies noted that he appeared autistic and returned him to his parents without filing charges.
School officials said they were unaware of the earlier incident and noted that the employee passed a standard criminal background check before being hired.
Court Hearing Set for Risk Protection Order
The risk protection order filed by the district is scheduled for open court on October 9, where a judge will determine whether the former employee will be permanently barred from all school campuses.
The school district confirmed that no students were physically harmed, and law enforcement has not filed any criminal charges as of now.
Parental Concerns About Communication
Several parents expressed frustration with what they described as a lack of transparency from the district in alerting families sooner.
“There is no communication,” said parent Jimmy Diaz. “They should have sent an email saying something is wrong so we know what’s going on.”
District officials said the priority was ensuring the man had no further contact with students and that mental health protocols were followed immediately after his disclosure.
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