School Counselor Charged After Intervening In Student Arrest

DAVENPORT, FL — A guidance counselor at Ridge Community High School in central Florida was arrested Tuesday after attempting to intervene as two plainclothes detectives were taking a female student into custody, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Thirty-nine-year-old Marcus Franklin of Orlando was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. He is director of guidance counseling at the school, which is located at 500 Orchid Drive in Davenport.

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"Marcus proceeded to tell detectives that they could not arrest the suspect and that it had to be a uniformed officer," the sheriff's office explained. "Marcus advised he needed to deescalate the situation and began stroking the suspect's hair and referred to her as 'baby.'"

The sheriff's office said detective Barbara Marshall was wearing an agency-issued jacket with "SHERIFF" on the back and a badge on the front along with her badge on a chain around her neck. She was also wearing her agency issued firearm on the outside of her waistband.

Detective Higgins was wearing her badge on a belt clip and her agency-issued firearm on the outside of her waistband.

"Why on earth Marcus Franklin thought it was OK to insert himself into a law enforcement investigation and then place his hands on, and shove one of our detectives is beyond me," insisted Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

The sheriff's office said that the counselor first entered the room as a "tussle" was taking place between the student and detectives.

"Marcus then interfered with the arrest as he began pushing Detective Marshall away from the suspect," the sheriff's office said. "Marcus then placed himself between detectives and the suspect in an attempt to shield the suspect. As Detective Marshall continued to try and take the suspect into custody Marcus would repeatedly push her hands away."

The sheriff's office said Marshall was treated at Heart Of Florida Regional Medical Center for a severe foot strain she suffered during the incident and was issued an orthopedic boot.

"He now faces at least two felonies, with more charges pending related to his obstruction of justice," Judd said of the guidance counselor. "This entire situation could have been avoided if he had assisted our detectives with taking a battery suspect into custody instead of fighting with them and interfering with their investigation."

A Haines City Police Department School Resource Officer later identified Franklin after he left school grounds.

The sheriff's office said Franklin refused to return to discuss the issue on Tuesday.

Detectives issued a warrant for Franklin's arrest and he was taken into custody in Orange County. He was booked into the Orange County Jail.

Franklin was to be transferred to the Polk County Jail as additional charges were pending related to obstruction of justice.

Photo of Marcus Franklin courtesy Orange County Corrections Department