A Florida preschool teacher was arrested and charged with child abuse after allegedly striking a 4 year old student with autism at Indian River Elementary School in Edgewater. Stacy Strnad, 48, was detained by Edgewater Police on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at her Port Orange residence, according to WKMG.
Florida Teacher Stacy Strnad Charged With Child Abuse
Strnad was hit with child abuse and battery charges following the incident. According to WKMG, the investigation revealed that the teacher allegedly struck the unidentified 4 year old boy with an open hand twice on his arm. When the child ran away from Strnad, she allegedly grabbed him by the arm and pulled him backwards, causing the boy to fall and cut his arm on a bookcase.
Edgewater Police Captain Charles Geiger confirmed to the outlet that authorities were informed of the incident on Thursday and that it had taken place that same day at the school.
A Florida teacher has been arrested for the child abuse of a 4yr old autistic boy.
She allegedly struck the boy with an open hand twice & pulled the boy by the arm causing him to fall backwards & hit a bookcase.
Meet Stacy Strnad. pic.twitter.com/sJ6ZRqAvtT
— dara faye (@darafaye) September 8, 2023
Volusia County Schools Responded To The Incident
A statement from Volusia County Schools confirmed that Strnad was placed on leave pending the police department's investigation. The district said it immediately responded to the incident after following all protocols.
"On Thursday, Sept. 7, a teacher at Indian River Elementary School was arrested for allegedly slapping a student. The teacher has been placed on leave pending an investigation."
The district emphasized that it takes any behavior that jeopardizes the safety of students and parents' trust seriously. Volusia County Schools stated that it strives to foster a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.
"Any such behavior that does not align with these standards will not be tolerated."
According to reports, Strnad bonded out of jail following her arrest. The district confirmed it was collaborating with authorities as the investigation progressed.
The Victim Was A 4 Year Old With Autism
According to Fox 35 Orlando, the child involved in the incident is a 4 year old boy with autism. The alleged abuse took place inside the classroom at Indian River Elementary, a public school in the Volusia County School District. The child's family had not publicly spoken out about the incident at the time of reporting.
The case drew widespread attention on social media, with many expressing outrage that a teacher entrusted with the care of a special needs child would allegedly resort to physical violence. Cases like this highlight the importance of proper training and oversight for educators working with children who have developmental disabilities, and the need for accountability when that trust is broken.
The investigation remains active and authorities have indicated that additional developments are expected in the coming days and weeks. Cases like this serve as a reminder of the complexities of the justice system and the impact that criminal proceedings have on the individuals, families, and communities involved. As more information becomes available, the full picture of what happened and why will continue to come into focus.
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