School Employee’s Altercation with Student Leads to Charges
A 49-year-old staff member at a high school in Florida got into a physical altercation with a female student while on a school bus. Initially, police reports indicated that the employee acted in self-defense, but they later stated that her actions went too far.
This incident took place at William T. Dwyer High School on Tuesday around 2:50 p.m., just as students were being dismissed. According to a report from local station WPBF-TV, the bus driver had requested the removal of a disruptive student, prompting employee Shondra Smith to step in.
After entering the bus to address the situation, Smith requested additional staff help, which included having two police officers present to escort the students. Eye-witness accounts described Smith and the student exchanging punches; officers and a school administrator attempted to separate them.
The police report detailed how, while officers were restraining the student’s arms, Smith climbed onto a bus seat and struck the student in the face several times. Reports indicate that despite being commanded to stop, she continued the attack, landing two more punches before officers successfully intervened.
The student sustained a cut on her lip and an abrasion on her collarbone, but fortunately, no significant injuries were reported.
Further updates from WPBF confirmed that, while Smith’s initial actions might have been in self-defense, they escalated once the student was restrained, transitioning into unnecessary physical harm.
On Tuesday, Smith was arrested and charged with child abuse. As a result of the alleged incident, she has been removed from the school and will not return until the investigation is complete. Principal Corey Brooks shared a message with the school community, emphasizing the importance of student safety and outlining expectations for staff conduct.
Smith was ordered to avoid contact with students or district property during a subsequent court appearance and was released from custody after posting $10,000 in bail.
