Let’s get straight to the point: If you knew about abuse, hazing, or misconduct happening in Clay County Schools, what did you do about it?
Did you look away?
Did you tell yourself it wasn’t your problem?
Did you think, “It’s just a rumor” or “Someone else will handle it”?
Because here’s the thing—silence doesn’t protect kids. Silence protects predators.
What Should Have Happened?
If you were a teacher, a coach, an administrator, or even a student who saw or heard something, what should you have done?
• Did you see students being hazed, bullied, or physically harmed? You should have reported it—immediately.
• Did you overhear inappropriate conversations between coaches and students? You should have reported it—immediately.
• Did a student confide in you about abuse? You should have gone straight to the authorities—not brushed it off, not passed it up the chain hoping someone else would handle it.
Because Florida law is clear—if you knew or even suspected abuse and failed to report it, you broke the law.
Florida Statute § 39.201(1)(a):
“A person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the central abuse hotline.”
Florida Statute § 39.205(1):
“A person who knowingly and willfully fails to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or who knowingly and willfully prevents another person from doing so, commits a felony of the third degree.”
What Did Clay County Schools Know?
Let’s ask the hard questions:
• How many teachers and coaches knew about hazing on school grounds?
• How many school officials were aware of student-athletes being targeted and manipulated by authority figures?
• Did school administrators receive reports of misconduct and ignore them?
• Did coaches continue working—even after serious allegations were made against them?
• Were parents ever fully informed of the dangers their children were exposed to in school-affiliated sports programs?
Because if people knew and did nothing, they are just as responsible for the harm done to these students.
To Those Who Stayed Silent—Why?
If you are someone who suspected, heard, or even knew something was happening, ask yourself:
• Why didn’t you step forward?
• Did you feel pressured to protect the school’s reputation?
• Were you afraid of retaliation?
• Did you convince yourself it wasn’t really “that bad”?
And now, the bigger question:
Do you still believe staying silent was the right thing to do?
Because the truth is coming out now.
The victims who were ignored are speaking up. The parents who were misled are demanding answers. The community is watching.
If you have information—now is the time to come forward.
What Can You Do Now?
If you once stayed silent, you have a choice today:
• Come forward and tell the truth.
• Speak to law enforcement, the press, or legal authorities.
• Help victims get the justice they deserve.
If you knew something and did nothing before, you still have a chance to do the right thing now.
And if you’re someone who still thinks this will all go away, let us be clear—it won’t.
For Those in Power: Your Time for Action Is Now
To Clay County school officials, the school board, and the sheriff’s office—you cannot ignore this any longer.
• Will you launch a full and independent investigation?
• Will you review past reports and disciplinary actions to see where failures happened?
• Will you publicly commit to ensuring this never happens again?
• Will you be transparent about who knew what—and when?
Because the community is watching. And the longer you wait, the clearer it becomes that you are more interested in protecting institutions than protecting students.
For Those Who Were Hurt: You Are Not Alone
To the students who were hazed, abused, or manipulated—we see you. We believe you.
You didn’t deserve this. You weren’t weak. You weren’t at fault.
You deserve justice. You deserve to be heard. And it is never too late to speak up.
If you are ready to come forward, there are people who will stand with you.
📞 Florida Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
🔗 Report Online: Florida DCF Report Abuse
📢 For online exploitation: CyberTipline
To the Community: Demand Accountability
Clay County—this is on all of us.
• Do not let this be swept under the rug.
• Do not let students be silenced.
• Do not let the school system get away with neglecting its duty to protect children.
Call the school board. Email officials. Show up at meetings. Demand answers.
Because if we don’t, who will?
This is not about politics. This is not about sports. This is about protecting kids.
And it’s time to decide which side of history you’ll be on.
