Florida teacher arrested for child abuse after ‘forcefully slamming’ autistic student

LocalFamily & Parenting
20 Apr 2026 • 6:48 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • A teacher at a Florida Christian school, Nikol Marie Rodriguez, has been arrested and charged with child abuse without great bodily harm.
  • Rodriguez is accused of "forcefully slamming" an 8-year-old student with autism and ADHD multiple times on 4 March, incidents allegedly captured on surveillance video.
  • The student reportedly sustained scratches on his arms and chest, along with a small puncture wound on his bicep.
  • Police reports detail Rodriguez allegedly restraining the boy, slamming his head and upper body onto the classroom floor, and shoving him into a table.
  • The school described Rodriguez's actions as "supportive de-escalation," while Rodriguez declined to provide a statement; she has since posted a £5,000 bond and been ordered to stay away from the child.

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