A Duval County Public Schools paraprofessional was arrested Thursday on felony child abuse charges after an alleged incident involving a student at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center, a small Jacksonville campus that serves students with significant support needs. School leaders say the arrest triggered both a criminal investigation and an internal human resources review, and the principal alerted families and staff.
What Happened
According to News4JAX, Duval County School Police arrested paraprofessional Donald Heine after an alleged on-campus incident involving a student. The outlet reports that the Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and "is involved in the case."
In a message to families, Principal Joseph Blitch called the allegations "deeply concerning" and said they are inconsistent with the standards of care, professionalism and respect that the school expects from every employee. For parents and caregivers already trusting the school with some of the district’s most vulnerable students, it is the kind of statement that lands with real weight.
About Alden Road Exceptional Student Center
Alden Road is an exceptional student center that Duval County Public Schools says focuses on employability, life skills and transition services for students who need significant support. According to the district’s school page, the campus serves middle and high school grades as well as transition-age students 18 to 22.
The school operates specialized programs and works with local partners to offer vocational training and therapies tailored to enrolled students. For many families, Alden Road is not just a school but a key piece of their long-term planning for their children’s independence and quality of life.
District Response
DCPS told News4JAX that it has been in direct contact with the student’s family and that the employee is barred from being on campus while law enforcement and the district’s human resources team investigate.
The district emphasized that student safety is its highest priority and noted that families may request police reports or personnel records through the public records portal while the review is underway. In other words, at least on paper, parents have a path to see how the system is handling the case.
Legal Process and Next Steps
The criminal case will move forward through law enforcement and the state charging process, while the Florida Department of Children and Families carries out any protective investigation described in the agency’s guidance. Per the Florida Department of Children and Families, reports that are accepted by the state abuse hotline are assigned to local investigators who typically initiate contact quickly.
State law allows the department to restrict a subject’s access to children during an active inquiry, and criminal charging decisions are made separately by prosecutors under Florida Statutes, Chapter 39. That dual track, administrative and criminal, is standard for cases that touch both child welfare and the justice system.
Why This Matters Locally
The arrest comes at a time when Duval officials have been publicly stressing training, supervision and safety protocols for staff and students. The district has highlighted ongoing campaigns and work by Duval County School Police that focus on protecting vulnerable students.
For families and neighbors connected to Alden Road, attention is now firmly on the investigations and on the district’s assurances that students will be kept safe while authorities do their work. Until those processes run their course, the community is left balancing routine school days with very real questions about trust and oversight.
