{"id":833407,"date":"2026-09-01T20:52:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T20:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/833407\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T20:52:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T20:52:09","slug":"you-took-my-childs-innocence-mother-wants-justice-after-school-employee-accused-of-sexually-abusing-her-son","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/833407\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018You took my child\u2019s innocence\u2019: Mother wants justice after school employee accused of sexually abusing her son"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 A St. Johns County mother said she wants justice after a youth leader in a Jacksonville church, who also worked as a security guard and coach at Westview PK-8<\/a>, was accused of sexually abusing her son and paying him \u201chush\u201d money.<\/p>\n

The Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office arrested DeShawn Collier, 25, on Sunday on allegations of lewd\/lascivious behavior with a person 12 or older but less than 16 years of age.<\/p>\n

Westview PK-8 Principal Jamie Griffin notified school families of the arrest in a message shared with the community on Monday.<\/p>\n

Griffin made it clear that Collier\u2019s accusations do not involve a student at the school or relate to his position or duties at the school.<\/p>\n

According to the arrest report, the teen told police that he met Collier at church two years ago, and they started communicating on Instagram. <\/p>\n

The teen said inappropriate messages began to be shared using the app\u2019s vanishing mode, where messages would automatically disappear in the chat after being sent.<\/p>\n

Around August 2025, the conversation started to become sexual, the report said.<\/p>\n

Investigators said the teen met Collier at UF Health North to have sex in a restroom while his mother was admitted for an illness. The teen also told investigators that Collier offered him $180, used as \u201chush\u201d money, which was paid at a later date.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to know, you took my child\u2019s innocence,\u201d the alleged victim\u2019s mother said. \u201cYou took it, you stripped that from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Editor\u2019s Note: News4JAX is not naming the mother of the child to protect her son\u2019s identity) <\/p>\n

She said that over time, she noticed a change in her son\u2019s behavior. She said she always asked her kids if they were being touched inappropriately, but her son would be timid.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t want to hug like he used to hug…If you try to touch him or embrace him, or different conversations would make him shut down,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I would ask him those questions, he would shut down and go in his room, and I wouldn\u2019t hear him. I\u2019m like, \u2018Are you okay?\u2019 And he always looks down at times, and when it was different, a mother knows.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said she prayed for weeks asking for everything to be revealed to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo weeks later, my son comes and tells me, it\u2019s been weighing heavy on him and he just had to get it off,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The mother said her son is now going through counseling.<\/p>\n

She said it\u2019s important for parents to stick together and protect their children from abuse.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe there for your kids, and even to these children out here, go tell your parents, come forward, don\u2019t hide it, that is not okay for grown people. We\u2019re making sure these people that are nasty are put behind bars,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Collier will not work at any Duval County Public School during the ongoing criminal and internal investigation. DCPS said it will continue to cooperate with law enforcement and follow all applicable district policies and procedures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,\u201d Griffin said.<\/p>\n

When interviewed by JSO, Collier said he communicated with the teen on Instagram about different singing engagements, and the conversations turned sexual, according to his arrest report. He said the conversations escalated between him and the teen over time, which led to the \u201cinappropriate relationship,\u201d it says in the report. JSO said Collier told investigators he knew the relationship was inappropriate and said he was \u201cat a low point in his life.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to JSO, Collier admitted to sending the teen money but said it was for \u201cpurchasing things on Shein.\u201d<\/p>\n

Collier was linked with Priority Life Ministries in Jacksonville, and it issued a statement to News4JAX following Collier\u2019s arrest. <\/p>\n

\u201cPriority Life Ministries is aware of the serious allegations involving Deshawn Collier. We do not condone, excuse, or agree with any form of inappropriate or unlawful conduct involving a minor,\u201d the church said in an emailed statement. \u201cWe respect the legal process and will allow law enforcement and the courts to conduct a thorough investigation and determine the facts. Every person is entitled to due process and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.<\/p>\n

Our prayers are with the young man and the entire family affected by this situation. We sincerely hope the young person receives the counseling, support, care, and protection needed during this difficult time.<\/p>\n

For clarity, Deshawn Collier is not, and has never been, an ordained or licensed minister of Priority Life Ministries. He was being observed and evaluated to determine whether his life, conduct, and character met the biblical qualifications required for ministerial office. No ordination or ministerial license was granted.<\/p>\n

Because this matter involves a minor and an active legal investigation, Priority Life Ministries will not offer further comments regarding the specific allegations at this time. We remain committed to truth, accountability, compassion, the protection of children, and the standards established by the Word of God.”<\/p>\n

News4JAX asked JSO if it was looking into the possibility of other victims, and it said on Monday it did not have any additional information at this time. <\/p>\n

Collier remains in JSO\u2019s custody, held on a $217,000 bond. His next court date is set for Sept. 22. <\/p>\n

Jail records showed an additional charge of lewd\/lacivious behavior with a person between 12 and 16 years old was added on Monday. It was not immediately clear if that charge was related to the same alleged victim or someone else.<\/p>\n

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