Florida Substitute Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Kicking Student with Disabilities

A Florida substitute teacher, Bryan Schewitz, 60, was arrested Friday on suspicion of child abuse after allegedly kicking a student with disabilities at Matanzas High School in Flagler County. According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Schewitz told a witness that he had kicked the child back to "now we're square" after an incident.

The alleged altercation occurred when the student, whose disability was not specified, was reportedly experiencing behavioral difficulties in class. Investigators stated that a witness observed Schewitz using excessive force to seat the student and warning, "The gloves are off." Another witness reported seeing Schewitz kick the student and subsequently noticing a significant mark on the child's leg.

The student's mother informed deputies that skin was missing from her child’s leg and provided photographic evidence of the injury, according to WKMG, citing the arrest report. The student confirmed to school officials that Schewitz had kicked him.

Schewitz provided deputies with a different account, claiming the contact was accidental. He stated the student arrived late to class, refused to sit, and began kicking toward him, striking his leg. Schewitz asserted that he then extended his own foot and unintentionally kicked the student. He also claimed the student had been disruptive in class, poking other students with a pencil, and that he guided the student into a chair by the shoulder. Schewitz acknowledged placing the child’s hands on a table and issuing the "gloves were coming off" warning.

When questioned about his alleged "now we're square" remark, Schewitz initially denied it but later expressed uncertainty about whether he had made the statement. He maintained the kick was accidental.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly emphasized the importance of educators remaining calm, especially when working with children with disabilities. Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore stated that student safety is paramount and that "This kind of behavior will not be tolerated on our campuses."

Schewitz was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and released Saturday on a $2,500 bond. It remains unclear if he has been suspended, fired, or removed from the district's substitute teaching roster.