Jacksonville paraprofessional accused of abusing students with special needs at Love Grove Elementary

A 64-year-old Jacksonville woman was arrested Oct. 14 on a warrant accusing her of abusing students while working as a paraprofessional at Love Grove Elementary School, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report.Jeanette Lynn Akers faces four counts of third-degree felony child abuse, the report says. The alleged incidents occurred May 14 at the school, which serves students with special needs, including some with limited or no verbal communication.A witness told investigators she saw Akers yell at students, shove them into chairs and strike one student with a rolled-up paper workbook, according to the report. The witness also alleged Akers spanked a student and hit another student’s hand while the child reached for a tablet.The report says the school removed Akers from the classroom that day. She was later transferred to another Duval County Public Schools facility but did not report there, investigators said.Akers was transported from the Brevard County Jail to the Pr