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Special Needs Teacher Accused of Slamming Autistic Student
18 Apr
Summary
- A special needs teacher faces a felony charge for allegedly slamming a student.
- Surveillance video reportedly shows the teacher restraining the autistic child.
- The teacher, a lifelong Miami resident, posted bond and awaits trial.
A special needs teacher from Hialeah has been arrested and charged with felony child abuse. The educator, Nikol Marie Rodriguez, is accused of allegedly restraining and slamming an eight-year-old student in her classroom. The child reportedly has autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and has no history of violence.
Investigators allege that surveillance footage captured Rodriguez grabbing the student aggressively and slamming their upper body and head onto the classroom floor. The report notes that Rodriguez used her hands and legs to restrain the child, who appeared to be in distress. Rodriguez, a lifelong Miami resident with no prior arrests, had her bond set at $5,000, which she has posted.
