Florida Student With Autism Allegedly Hides in Bathroom. Then a Man Follows Them in and Puts His Hands on Them: ‘Come Back and Get You’
The importance of campus safety.
A man named Jack LaRoche is currently facing serious legal consequences following an incident on the University of North Florida campus where he allegedly targeted a student with autism. According to Law&Crime, the situation, which unfolded on August 22, 2026, involved a series of events that led to his arrest on charges including abuse of a disabled adult, false imprisonment, and giving a false name to law enforcement.
This case highlights how quickly a situation can escalate when someone decides to film content for YouTube in blatant disregard for the needs of people around them. The incident began when the victim noticed a man following him outside his dorm. Attempting to get away, the student moved inside the building and eventually sought refuge in a bathroom stall.
Unfortunately, the accused, later identified by police as 22-year-old Jack Tyler LaRoche of Kingsland, Georgia, continued his pursuit into the restroom. According to the police report, LaRoche looked over the partition of the stall and then entered it, effectively trapping the student inside.
Once inside the confined space of the stall, the situation turned physical
The campus newspaper UNF Spinnaker stated that LaRoche placed the student in a headlock and began flicking his face. The force of these actions caused the victim’s glasses to fall off and break. Beyond the physical contact, LaRoche allegedly demanded that the student set a 10-minute timer on his phone.
He reportedly threatened the victim, stating that if the student left the stall before the timer went off, he would “come back and get you.” Because of these intimidating statements, the victim felt too afraid to leave until the time had fully elapsed. Surveillance footage later confirmed that LaRoche had remained in the restroom for approximately 14 minutes. The victim was able to drive to the police station to report the encounter after the timer finished.
UNFPD officers were able to locate LaRoche near campus parking garage 38 shortly thereafter. When investigators first made contact with him, he attempted to deceive them by providing the false name “Jack Jones” and claiming to be a student at the university. He was unable to name his dorm, which likely raised immediate red flags for the officers. It was later confirmed by the UNF Spinnaker, that LaRoche is not actually a student at the school.
During the investigation, police discovered that LaRoche had been on campus to record content for his YouTube page. When questioned about his behavior, he claimed he was “just f—ing around” and denied that he had assaulted the student.
The investigation into his activities that day also revealed some unusual behavior
Surveillance footage from earlier in the day captured LaRoche wearing only his underwear under a campus water fountain before he retrieved his clothing from nearby bushes. He was taken into custody and booked into the Duval County Jail.
On August 22, 2026, he appeared before Judge Kimberly Sadler, who found probable cause for the charges against him. His bond was set at $22,509. As part of his release conditions, Judge Sadler issued a strict No Contact Order, which mandates that LaRoche must stay at least 500 feet away from the victim and the victim’s residence. His next court date is scheduled for September 14, 2026, for further circuit court proceedings.
This situation is a stark reminder of the importance of campus safety and the potential dangers posed by individuals who disregard the boundaries of others, especially those with conditions like autism, for the sake of online content. It is concerning to see a student being targeted in such a private space like a dormitory bathroom.
The fact that the suspect was not even a student at the university adds another layer of complexity to the security concerns on campus. The combination of physical intimidation and the threat of returning created a truly terrifying experience for the victim.
The legal process is now moving forward
The court will continue to evaluate the evidence provided by the police reports and surveillance footage. With the bond set and the No Contact Order in place, the focus remains on the upcoming court date in September. It is vital for institutions to maintain clear protocols for identifying unauthorized individuals on campus to prevent these kinds of confrontations.
For now, the primary goal is ensuring the safety of the student and allowing the legal system to address the charges against LaRoche appropriately. The actions described in the police affidavit paint a clear picture of a situation that caused significant distress, and the judicial system is now tasked with managing the accountability phase of this case.
(Featured image: UNF Botanical Garden)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
