Two Brevard Public Schools Principals Arrested and Charged With DUI, Placed on Administrative Leave

Heritage High Principal John Harris and Lewis Carroll Elementary Principal Jenifer Born charged with DUI

According to arrest reports, Dr. John Harris, 62, the principal at Heritage High School in Palm Bay, was arrested on Friday in Melbourne, and Jenifer Born, 56, the principal of Lewis Carroll Elementary on Merritt Island, was arrested on Saturday evening.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Two Brevard Public Schools principals have been arrested and accused of driving while under the influence, according to police reports.

According to arrest reports, Dr. John Harris, 62, the principal at Heritage High School in Palm Bay, was arrested on Friday in Melbourne, and Jenifer Born, 56, the principal of Lewis Carroll Elementary on Merritt Island, was arrested on Saturday evening.

According to Brevard Public School spokesperson Russell Bruhn, both Harris and Born have been placed on administrative leave.

Harris was arrested Friday after law enforcement noticed a vehicle parked improperly but running and in drive at a WAWA convenience store on North Wickham Road. According to the arrest report, Harris was behind the wheel, honking the horn at another driver.

Deputies said Harris’ eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred, and they smelled alcohol on his breath.

According to the arrest report, Harris agreed to a field sobriety test and probable cause was established to arrest him on a DUI charge. Deputies said he then refused a breath and urine test and admitted to having a few drinks. He was booked into the Brevard County jail on a $500 bond.

Born was pulled over by a deputy near the intersection of Topsail Drive and Highway 1 in Rockledge at approximately 7 p.m. after she was seen swerving over the white line in the bike lane multiple times.

Law enforcement officials said her speech was slurred, her eyes were bloodshot, and they could smell alcohol on her breath. She was asked to perform field sobriety exercises, and, according to the arrest report, she “did not perform to standard.”

Born submitted to a breath test and, according to the arrest report, blew nearly twice the legal limit.

Both Harris and Born are out of jail on $500 bail.

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