Former counselor accused of molesting girl at Coral Springs school found not guilty

Michael Jones accused of molesting 3 girls at Forest Hills Elementary School

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – It has been more than five years since an 8-year-old girl said Michael Jones, a former camp counselor, molested her inside a Forest Hills Elementary School classroom in Coral Springs in 2011.  

After three hours of deliberation Thursday, a jury in a Fort Lauderdale courtroom found Jones not guilty. 

Police said Jones confessed, but his defense attorney argued the confession was under false pretenses.

The defense also argued that on the day of the alleged incident, another child or counselor would have heard noises. The alleged victim claims Jones touched her inappropriately in the back of a full classroom while a movie played. Defense attorney Jose Reyes said no one came forward to report hearing anything unusual.

"If there's any sound that is a surprise sound, 15 to 20 fourth or fifth-graders, or third graders, turn around and see it," Reyes said.

The alleged victim, now 12, took the stand Wednesday and described what she said happened. Prosecutor Kerrie Harper said her testimony corroborated Jones’ alleged confession.

She said the class was watching movies when Jones moved in on her. 

"He put his head between my legs," she testified. 

Before reaching a verdict, the jury asked to see Jones' confession video again and then asked what was the definition of circumstantial evidence. 

Jones remains in jail as he faces charges of similar accusations made by two other girls.