A Florida paraprofessional has been arrested on charges of child abuse and assault after police allege he forced a nonverbal student with autism to lie on the ground in his own urine and used him "like a mop" to clean up the mess at an Exceptional Student Center in Jacksonville.
Background
The incident allegedly occurred on July 7 at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center, a school serving students with special needs in Duval County. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Donald Heine, 51, was working as a paraprofessional when the student—an autistic boy who cannot control his bladder—urinated on himself while seated in a chair.
The urine wet the boy's clothes and formed a puddle on the floor beneath him. Rather than alerting custodial staff or assisting the child, Heine allegedly pulled the boy out of the chair and onto the floor, positioning him over the urine puddle to mop up the mess before anyone could respond, according to the affidavit.
After using the child like a cleaning tool, Heine allegedly took the boy's own shirt and used it to wipe up the remaining urine. He then forced the child to put the soiled garment back on, the document stated. Because the incident occurred later in the school day, the boy had no dry clothes available and was sent home still wearing his urine-soaked shirt.
The Investigation
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office investigators reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses before obtaining an arrest warrant for Heine on July 15. A teacher told police she had observed other "rough" interactions between Heine and the student throughout the school year that she deemed unnecessary, according to the affidavit.
The following day, allegedly after the boy spit on other students in what may have been a reaction to the previous incident, Heine sprayed him with antiseptic spray. School staff asked him to stop, but he continued, police said.
Heine was taken into custody and transported to Duval County Jail on a $6,500 bond, which he has since posted. His parents say they want to pursue charges against the paraprofessional. Duval County Public Schools confirmed it is conducting its own internal investigation, and Heine has been barred from returning to campus until that review is complete.
Key Takeaways
- Donald Heine, 51, worked as a paraprofessional at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center serving students with autism and other special needs
- Police allege he forced the nonverbal student onto a floor covered in his own urine and used him "like a mop" to clean it up
- Heine allegedly cleaned remaining urine with the boy's shirt and made him wear the soiled garment for the rest of the school day
- A teacher told investigators she had witnessed other unnecessary "rough" interactions between Heine and this student throughout the year
- Heine faces one count each of child abuse and assault; his next scheduled court appearance is Aug. 6
What's Next
Heine remains free on bond while awaiting trial. The Duval County Public Schools investigation could result in termination and potentially additional charges. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will seek an enhanced charge or additional counts as the case develops.