WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested a University of Florida police officer late Wednesday night on a suspected child abuse charge.
Henri Belleville, 41, was arrested on a charge of third-degree felony child abuse without great bodily harm. The arrest came after a school official reported possible abuse when a teacher saw a bump and a red mark on a child’s face.
UFPD Chief Linda Stump-Kurnick “immediately” placed Belleville on administrative leave, said Maj. Brad Barber, the UFPD Public Information Officer.
In 2011, Stump-Kurnick honored Belleville for his part in saving Gainesville Police Department Maj. Rick Hanna’s life in an incident at Gainesville Health & Fitness Center.
Belleville was released on recognizance at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Stump-Kurnick could not be reached for comment.
