Broward County

Broward school security specialist is accused of abusing student

By Miami Herald staff
A Broward County Public Schools security guard was reassigned following his arrest Thursday, Feb. 7, 2025, on aggravated child abuse and battery charges, a spokesperson for the district said.
A Broward County Public Schools security guard was reassigned following his arrest Thursday, Feb. 7, 2025, on aggravated child abuse and battery charges, a spokesperson for the district said.

Broward County Public Schools said a school security specialist has been reassigned after he was arrested Thursday.

Ronald Thurston was hired by the district in April 2023, a spokesperson said. According to WTVJ-NBC 6, he was arrested on two counts of aggravated child abuse and one count of aggravated battery.

Details about the allegations were not immediately available.

He works at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, according to WPLG-ABC 10.

“This individual has been reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation/case,” Broward County Public Schools spokeswoman Nadine Drew said in a statement.

Thurston’s attorney sent a statement to NBC 6 denying the allegations.

According to WSVN-Fox 7, Thurston worked as a deputy for the Broward Sheriff’s Office but was fired for using excessive force on a man he was taking into custody in April 2020.

The school district has yet to say if it knew about the BSO incident before hiring him.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER