Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jessica Deana Greene, 40, was taken into custody yesterday, accused of mistreating two children residing in her home and threatening severe harm if law enforcement arrived.

On August 14, a Gainesville Police Department officer visited the children’s home for a welfare check after the older child contacted a former teacher by email, reporting that Greene had struck his younger sister. The email also claimed that Greene warned them, “the day the police knock on the door is the day she slits our throats.”

The officer noted that upon his arrival, Greene became very upset and refused to allow him to see or communicate with the children directly. Following some discussion, she permitted the older child to talk to the officer through the door but still barred him from seeing the child or entering the premises.

On August 15, officers returned to check on the children and discovered they were both missing from school, which was concerning due to the previous threat mentioned in the email.

When officers revisited the home, Greene initially denied them access to see the children. However, they eventually managed to speak with the children away from Greene, and both children reportedly disclosed that Greene had physically assaulted them.

A medical evaluation reportedly confirmed injuries on both children that matched the accounts given during their interviews with the Child Protection Team.

Greene has been charged with two counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. She has no local adult criminal history. Judge Johnson ordered her held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold her without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.