JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Lake Shore Middle School employee was charged with child abuse after a physical interaction with a student on Wednesday, according to Duval County Public Schools.
DCPS said Tia Smith, 43, was a paraprofessional who was first hired by the district in August 2023. She resigned for personal reasons, but was later rehired in August 2024.
Lake Shore principal Latasha Clark said in a message to parents and guardians that the school was in direct contact with the student’s family.
There will be an internal and external investigation.
Read the full message sent to parents below:
Hello Lake Shore Middle School families, this is Principal Clark calling with disappointing news regarding one of our staff members. This staff member, Tia Smith, who works as a paraprofessional at the school, was arrested today on charges of Child Abuse Without Great Bodily Harm following a physical interaction with a student. We are in direct contact with the family of the student involved, but wanted to ensure our entire school community was aware of what took place. While the presumption of innocence applies, this individual has been removed from the school and will be in a position without student contact while internal and external investigations take place. Again, it is disappointing to have to share this with you, but I will always want you to be informed. Thank you for listening to this message.
Principal Clark
Smith faces a third-degree felony charge of child neglect.
