BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Two Brevard County principals face DUI charges in separate arrests over the weekend, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
On Friday, 62-year-old Dr. John Harris – principal of Heritage High School – was arrested on DUI charges. The following day, 56-year-old Jenifer Born – principal of Lewis Carroll Elementary School – was arrested for the same offense.
According to a Brevard Public Schools spokesperson, both employees have been placed on leave by the district.
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Harris’ probable cause affidavit shows he was parked improperly at a Wawa, located at 5605 North Wickham in Melbourne, with his vehicle running and honking his horn at another driver around 8 p.m. Friday.
According to the affidavit, Harris told deputies he had consumed a few alcoholic beverages. Deputies said he had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on his breath. Harris then agreed to a field sobriety test, which led deputies to believe he was driving under the influence, the affidavit reads.
Born’s probable cause affidavit shows she was driving northbound near the intersection of Topsail Drive and Highway 1 in Rockledge around 7 p.m. Saturday when deputies observed her swerve over the white line into the bike lane several times.
Deputies said Born also had glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on her breath. Multiple breath alcohol tests showed she had blood alcohol levels of .146 and .141, nearly double the legal limit, according to the affidavit.
Kimberly Lindsay, whose children attend Lewis Carroll Elementary School, where Born acted as principal, said she was shocked to hear of her arrest.
“Would have never thought it, a little shocked,” Lindsay said.
The school is in the Highlander Heights neighborhood in Merritt Island where Dan Norton, who attended the school when he was a kid, said Born has supported the tight community.
“In a way, I really don’t think it’s all that fair because she’s human,” said Norton on the arrest potentially ending Born’s career. “The lady made a mistake.”
As the principal of her children, Lindsay said Born should hold herself to a higher standard, but she still said she was a great leader of the school.
“I’m disappointed, but I don’t think it changes the principal she was,” Lindsay said.
This is a developing story. Check back with News 6 for updates.
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