Most parents of the Broward County Public Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had no idea about the somewhat suspicious past of teacher Damian Francis when it came to students making allegations against him. Dating all the way back to 2021, students made allegations that Francis would touch them inappropriately and make them feel uncomfortable when he was around. One parent recalled her daughter asking to no longer wear skirts to school. Francis, who is 44 years old, was a teacher for first graders. After an initial investigation, the teacher was simply moved to a different classroom in January. But now, he finds himself in custody and charged with lewd and lascivious conduct after more victims came forward.
According to WPLG Local 10 [1], “On March 2, a mother reported her daughter told her that she no longer wanted to wear a skirt or a dress to school because Francis’ rubs on her leg when she does, and she does not like it,’ according to Detective Tarra Walker’s report. ‘He was doing something weird to me,’ the girl told a crisis unit case coordinator at the sexual assault treatment center on March 15, according to Walker. During questioning on March 24, Francis admitted to touching a girl on her stomach, according to Walker. ‘I shouldn’t have been hugging or touching them,’ Francis told Walker about two girls in his class, according to the report.”
Not discussing too many details on the ongoing investigation, the Broward County Public Schools said, “The District is aware of the arrest. This individual is being reassigned to a position away from the school and students. We defer to the Lauderhill Police Department for any additional information.”
For now, Damian Francis remains at the Broward County Jail on a $65,000 bond. Learning about the incident from the news, some parents, like Valerie, were furious. “I’m in shock. That is unacceptable. They are innocent babies.”
Online users agreed with the parents, writing:
- “I can only hope and pray that the 6 yr old is going to be alright mentally. Forget about him. Hopefully, he will get what he deserves. And just maybe the state will reinforce the charges this time.”
- “Children that young would not lie about something like that. That guy that was interviewed and said it was maybe a mistake is a predator as well. Both of them should be closely watched.”
- “So he’s been accused of harming children before, he gets caught again, and they just move him to a different position.”
- “Some teachers just shouldn’t be around kids. I know of a middle school teacher that has charges against him for similar reasons, yet he is still teaching. So glad my kids are homeschooled.”