FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Vickie Cartwright spoke out on the allegations against a classroom assistant at West Broward High School.
On Tuesday, John Harrison Smith was arrested after being accused of molesting two disabled teens.
The 53-year-old paraprofessional has been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation and lewd conduct.
Cartwright said Smith’s behavior would not be tolerated in Broward County schools.
“I, as superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, will not tolerate our employees having inappropriate relationships with students or inappropriate touching of students,” she said. “That is not something I will accept.”
In court Wednesday, the judge said there was probable cause.
“Mr. Smith’s full responsibility was to look out for the welfare of these children,” said a prosecutor.
Instead, prosecutors said, he was preying on them, targeting children with mental health issues.
Police said the two students Smith is accused of inappropriately touching have mental disabilities and verbal delays.
“Therefore, they’re more vulnerable than the average student would be,” said Pembroke Pines Maj. Al Xiques.
Smith faced similar accusations back in 2021. A student at the same school claimed Smith gave her massages on her butt, back and face
A district standards committee recommended a written reprimand, but an administrator disagreed and instead sent a letter urging Smith to be more professional and telling him to return to the classroom.
Cartwright said this process will be reviewed.
“I’m going to be looking into our practices related to our professional standards committee, and evaluate that and possibly bring recommendations forward to our school board,” she said.
The arrest was a long time coming for the sister of one of his alleged victims
“It kind of brought back nightmares again. Nothing was done for my sister until two more victims – until very recently,” she said. “It took a year, and it should be known that this has been going on for over a year.”
Smith’s bond was set for $650,000, but if he manages to bond out, he is not allowed to go anywhere near a school campus.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.