JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A case has been thrown out for the former Westside High School employee who was previously charged with engaging in sexual conduct with a student, according to court records.
In March, Julie Leigh Rodeheaver, 42, was charged with soliciting or engaging in sexual conduct with a student by an authority figure, according to records with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
She was employed as a classroom paraprofessional at the time of her arrest, according to Westside High School Principal Jamelle Wilcox.
Records obtained by First Coast News indicate that a pretrial hearing scheduled for this past Monday was cancelled due to the case being disposed.
First Coast News has requested additional information about why Rodeheaver's charges were dropped.
A previous statement from the principal of Westside High School informed parents that Rodeheaver was removed from the school and reassigned to duties without student contact during both the criminal investigation and the school district's own investigation into what happened.
On Wednesday, Duval County Schools says Rodeheaver is no longer employed with the district.
Attorneys for Rodeheaver, Belkis Plata and Stephanie Schaap, gave this statement to First Coast News:
"We are very pleased that the State Attorney’s Office has dropped the charges against Ms. Rodeheaver.
From the beginning of our representation, it was evident that both the alleged victim and Ms. Rodeheaver are intellectually disabled, and that they had engaged in a consensual relationship.
After extensive evaluations by medical professionals, the review of discovery materials, and depositions of those who have had close interactions with both parties, it became increasingly clear that the alleged victim was higher functioning than Ms. Rodeheaver.
The various agencies who were charged with investigating this matter did not present accurate information regarding the disability status of the alleged victim, nor did they verify information provided by the alleged victim’s family. The alleged victim is savvy and functions at a higher level than would be statutorily required to be classified as a disabled adult. He clearly and competently described that he was not pressured or forced to engage in a relationship with Ms. Rodeheaver.
This is an unfortunate situation. A rush to judgment caused our client to be arrested, and later portrayed by the media and in police reports as a villain. Our client and her family are relieved that the truth has come out, and they look forward to putting this behind them."