A Florida teacher has been arrested on child abuse charges after allegedly slamming a nonverbal 3-year-old student's arm and throwing away his lunch, causing the boy to cry while his classmates ate.
Tonya Gainey, a 57-year-old special education teacher, was caught on surveillance footage punching a boy during her lunch break at the Wise Center in DeFuniak Springs, then throwing away his food and ignoring him. According to the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Police said the student, who is said to be non-verbal, was seen on video “crying and suffering.”
“Our department worked diligently to understand the full scope of the situation,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a statement.
“Her actions were unacceptable and the charges reflect that.”
Police said school officials learned of the assault the next day, and an investigation was conducted by the Department of Children and Families.
Efforts to remove the disturbed teacher failed when she refused to leave campus, knowing that authorities would investigate and lose contact with her students.
Gainey had to be escorted from school grounds by a school resource officer.
According to police, the crazed teacher submitted his resignation via email to school officials during the chaos.
It is not immediately known what led to the alleged assault.
While a medical evaluation of the child victim was being conducted, school officials expressed the sudden shock to the parents of Gainey's current and former students. His condition has not been released.
The teacher was arrested Dec. 13 and charged with felony child abuse and trespassing, according to court records.
She was booked into the Walton County Jail and released on $5,000 bond.
