OCALA, Fla. – The principal of Destiny Leadership Academy was arrested Saturday on allegations he abused a student.
Dontay Akeem Prophet, 33, faces charges of aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under the age of 13 years, reports ClickOrlando.
Video surveillance footage showed the principal physically restraining a young male student, reports Fox35Orlando. Authorities say Prophet grabbed the victim, put him in a chokehold, twisted his ankle, slapped him in the face, and used a charging cable to strike him. Video also showed the principal of the private Christian school preventing the child from leaving the room for more than 40 minutes.
Prophet claimed he was trying to prevent the student from harming himself, but authorities say the video evidence clearly contradicts his allegations.
Principal Previously Faced Felony Charges Related to Children
This is not the first time the principal has faced felony charges related to a minor. In 2019 while he was working for South Ocala Elementary School, Prophet was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct of a child under the age of 16, reports WCJB. He also faced accusations that he invited a student to his residence and touched him sexually.
Additionally, in 2017, he was accused of molesting a child he met when he worked as a camp counselor, reports Fox35Orlando. In 2023, Prophet violated his probation, but the case was closed. The prosecutor dropped one of the charges, and the court withheld adjudication of the matter.
Destiny Leadership Academy administrators wouldn’t say why Prophet was hired by the school. He no longer works for the campus.
Schools can sometimes struggle identifying employees who pose a threat, especially if they haven’t been convicted of a crime. However, conducting comprehensive criminal background checks; verifying an applicant’s education, credentials, and previous employment; and regularly reassessing an employee screening program can help. Here are 10 Tips for Conducing Better Background Checks.
