Kindergarten teacher accused of hitting and dragging autistic child after he threw his crayons at her
A Florida preschool teacher, Alice Wood, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 4-year-old autistic boy after he threw crayons at her during class, caught on a video.
The 48-year-old preschool teacher from Vero Beach, Florida has been arrested and fired after an allegation of abuse involving a 4-year-old autistic boy. Alice Wood, a teacher at Kids City preschool there, is accused of physically assaulting the boy after he reportedly threw crayons at her.
The alleged act occurred in the classroom and was caught on video. The Indian River County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident. Authorities said the boy sustained physical injuries, including an inflamed area on the boy's shoulder. After the investigation, Wood was taken into custody and brought to jail, from where she posted bond.
A preschool teacher in Florida was arrested for dragging a 4-year-old autistic boy
A preschool teacher in Florida was arrested after she allegedly assaulted a 4-year-old autistic boy after he was throwing crayons at her multiple times. The incident happened while she was working at Kids City in Vero Beach, Florida, where the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Kids City about a potential child abuse on Tuesday.
In the arrest affidavit, it states the owner of Kids City contacted law enforcement on Thursday after the boy's parents were notified by the teacher, Alice Wood, 48, about her actions with their son. The arrest affidavit notes that Wood had been terminated from her employment.
The school's owner said that the boy's behavior technician noted the boy was "visibly upset" when he came back from the bathroom. The staff reviewed classroom video, which showed Wood approaching the boy while he was seated at a table.
She is reported to have grabbed the boy by both arms, yanked him forcefully closer toward her face, and caused him to snap backward with his head. She is reported to have dragged him on the floor about three feet, letting go when his arm slapped onto the ground.
Wood was caught on a video assaulting a 4-year-old boy in a Florida school. Photo: CNBC
Wood is also reported to have pushed the boy backward into the chair with enough force to snap his head backward again. The boy appeared "timid" and the officers noticed a large inflamed area around his shoulder consistent with a grab.
Police detectives interviewed the boy's behavioral therapist, who stated that, while the boy was prone to outbursts and property destruction, he had never posed a danger to himself or anyone else.
The school had a behavior management plan for the boy that included using a “basket hold” technique where staff would hold the boy's hands across his body to get him to calm down. During police questioning, Wood said the boy's injuries were caused by him tripping or falling. Wood claimed the boy punched her, but video evidence did not support her claims.
Wood evaluated her behavior as excessive force and expressed remorse. She was arrested and taken to jail. Wood later placed a bond and has a court hearing set for July 10. Wood’s attorney has not yet made a statement, and the daycare owner said Wood was terminated but would offer no further comment.
