Marion County courts: Bail set for principal in alleged abuse case involving student
Here's a look at what happened at the Marion County Judicial Center the week of May 13 - 17.
Daniel Miller and Kelli Starling
Judge: Circuit Judge Robert Hodges.
Charge: Both 48-year-old Miller and 37-year-old Starling are charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Why were they in court? Prosecutors filed pre-trial detention against Miller and Starling for the death of their 15-month-old son who died from a drug overdose. Prosecutors want the couple to be held at the county jail until the charges are resolved.
Lawyers: Melissa Thibeault represented Miller, while Bernadette Russell was the attorney for Starling. Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith is prosecuting the case.
What was the outcome: The judge ruled on May 13 that Miller is to be held on no bond since he had a pending case. For Starling, bond was set at $500,000.
Any special conditions? Yes. The judge said the duo cannot have any contact with each other and Starling and Miller, both of Ocala, cannot have contact with anyone under 18. That order includes Starling's other child, officials said.
Andre Allan Scott
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Charge: Use computer to seduce solicit lure child, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate and travel to meet a minor after use of computer to lure child.
Lawyers: David Mengers was the attorney for Scott, 38, of Ocala, and Assistant State Attorney Elizabeth White prosecuted the case.
About the case: Scott was arrested in 2022 after law enforcement officials conducted an undercover operation called "April Fools" aimed at catching adults trying to meet children for sexual pleasure.
Why was Scott in court? Scott and his lawyer appeared in court on May 14 for a one-day trial. Jury selection was held May 13.
What happened? A jury said Scott was guilty and the judge sentenced him to 12 years in prison, followed by three years of probation. Scott has 556 days of credit while at the county jail. Charges of use computer to seduce solicit lure child and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate were dismissed based on the defense saying it was double jeopardy, according to court records.
Any special conditions? Yes, Scott has to register as a sexual offender.
Dontay Akeem Prophet
Judge: Circuit Judge Tim McCourt.
Charges: Aggravated child abuse and kidnapping, false imprisonment of a child under 13.
About the charge: Prophet was taken into custody by a sheriff's deputy after he allegedly hit, choked and abused a child recently at a private school where he was the principal. Prophet's status at the school is unknown.
When was Prophet in court? May 14.
Why? Pre-trial detention hearing filed by prosecutors.
Lawyers: Assistant State Attorney Barbara Harris and Kathryn Hamilton from the Public Defender's Office.
Arrest: Ocala Police: White woman threw bag of watermelon and cotton at Black child, age 11
What happened? The judge decided to grant a $50,000 bond for the 33-year-old Ocala man. As of Friday, Prophet was still at the county jail. His next court hearing is scheduled for June 11.
Any special conditions? Yes, there were several. They include, Prophet cannot return to the school; if released, he must seek or maintain employment; he cannot have any employment where children are involved; he cannot have any contact with the victim or his family; and no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County Florida court happenings for May 13-17
