POLK COUNTY, Fla. — According to Polk County School's own data, the number of students taken into custody under the Baker Act spiked over the last school year.

  • Sheriff: Increase due to more threats being brought to attention of law enforcement
  • No. of students accounts for less than 1 percent of district student population
  • More Polk County stories 

A look at the district's numbers in terms of students held under the Baker Act reveals they remained fairly steady from 2015 to 2018. 

However, in school year 2018-2019 those numbers doubled to 258 students.

Polk School Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd issued the following statement in reference to the data:

“We serve more than 105,000 students at Polk County Public Schools, and we strive to deliver each with the education and services that best meet their individual needs. When it comes to mental health, we use a variety of assessments and interventions.

Ultimately, the school district does not have the authority to issue a Baker Act; that authority lies with law enforcement. We collaborate closely with law enforcement, providing information and insight to assist them in making their determinations.

In every case, we advocate for what we feel is the best outcome for the child."

Meanwhile, Polk Sheriff Grady Judd believes the increase is due to more threats being brought to the attention of law enforcement, and that his deputies cannot take chances anymore when they hear about students threatening to take their lives or someone else's.

“If you say these frightening statements that lead others to think that you’re a danger to yourself or someone else, and law enforcement is called, we’re going to take you against your will for a mental health evaluation under the Baker Act,” Judd said.

The number of students taken into custody under the Baker Act last school year accounts for less than one percent of Polk County Public School’s student population.