News and Investigations

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 36-year-old Donald Mitchell of Lakeland for sexual offenses against a student by an authority figure (F2). 
 
On December 10, 2024, the former student, a 19-year-old female, reported via social media that she had been engaged in a sexual relationship with Mitchell from October of 2023, when she was a student at Kathleen High School, to November of 2024, after her graduation. When contacted by detectives, Mitchell denied there was any sexual component to their relationship until after the student had graduated, but admitted to texting her often. Mitchell told detectives that he deleted a lot of text messages between he and the victim because he did not want his wife to find them.
 
PCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) and Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) detectives examined the text messages exchanged between the two thoroughly. One such message from Mitchell to the victim, sent on Valentine’s Day of this year, read, “I’m here to grow and groom you into what [I] know you’re capable of being!” Other messages include:

• February 14, 2024 – Mitchell to victim: “If you cared youd listen and youd let me see you” 
• February 15, 2024 – Mitchell to victim: “I got a lot to lose” and “Just know I love you and I want our relationship to remain solid regardless of whatever” 
• February 17, 2024 – Mitchell to victim: “I love you [redacted]” 
• February 20, 2024 – Mitchell to victim: “Please don’t play with me bruh you have my life damn near in your hands…im taking a huge risk” and “I FaceTime you because I wanna see you I reach out because I wanna talk to you. Ive always gave you game and built you up because I care about you…I told you I love you…no pressure though” 
• February 24, 2024 – Mitchell to victim: “you think im press for p****” and “Come outside” 

It was determined that Mitchell used his position of authority over the victim inappropriately. He was arrested on December 18, 2024. 
 
Mitchell, formerly a teacher at Kathleen High School, is now employed as a Community Outreach Facilitator for the Polk County School Board. He has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation by the school board.
 
“Using one’s position of authority and trust over a student is egregious. Students rely on teachers to be educators and mentors, and Mitchell abused this trust by turning the relationship between him and his student sexual. This type of behavior will not be tolerated.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

“Mr. Mitchell had been placed on leave by PCPS when we were first informed of the allegations, and he has since submitted his resignation. These allegations describe abhorrent behavior that is unacceptable for anyone who works with students. We are cooperating fully with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and appreciate their work to protect our youth and community. People who abuse their trust and authority deserve to be punished for their actions.” – Fred Heid, Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools