Former Polk County teacher wanting to ‘grow and groom’ student deleted texts so wife wouldn’t find them: PCSO

LAKELAND, Fla. - A former teacher who is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student at Kathleen High School last year has been arrested.

Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office say a 19-year-old woman reported via social media that she had a sexual relationship with 36-year-old Donald Mitchell when she was a student at the school.

Detectives said Mitchell denied having a sexual relationship with the woman until after she 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 said they thoroughly looked at the text messages exchanged between the pair.

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According to deputies, one 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"

Donald Mitchell mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say Mitchell used his position of authority over the victim inappropriately. He was arrested on Wednesday.

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"Using one’s position of authority and trust over a student is egregious," stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "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."

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.

"Mr. Mitchell had been placed on leave by PCPS when we were first informed of the allegations, and he has since submitted his resignation," stated Fred Heid, Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools. "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."

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