Florida Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Special Needs Student
A Wadsworth Elementary teacher faces child abuse charges after an incident involving a six-year-old student.
A Florida elementary school teacher has been arrested on felony child abuse charges following an alleged incident involving a six-year-old special needs student. Kevin Adkisson, 52, was taken into custody on October 16 and charged with two counts of child abuse without great bodily harm.
The incident occurred at Wadsworth Elementary School in Palm Coast, Florida. According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Adkisson intervened in an argument between two students over a toy. Police reports state that Adkisson forcibly removed the toy and then pushed one of the students. He then allegedly grabbed the child by the arm and flung him into the air with a "rough, slinging motion."
Witnesses reported that Adkisson yelled at the student, telling him he was "acting like a two-year-old." The child then crawled under a desk and began to cry. When the student did not comply with Adkisson's demand to exit from under the desk, Adkisson reportedly moved the desk and pinned the student against the classroom wall, restricting the child's movement. Witnesses told police they heard the student crying and saying he couldn't breathe. Adkisson eventually released the child, reportedly telling him he was not hurt.
Police also received information from another student alleging a prior incident involving Adkisson. This account stated that Adkisson struck a student on both sides of the stomach with closed hands, picked the student up, and then placed him at the back of the line after the student had skipped ahead of classmates.
Sheriff Rick Staly commented on the case, stating, "Parents entrust teachers to provide a safe learning environment for their children. Some special needs students can be challenging but everyone who works with these children must always keep their cool."
A no-contact order was issued by the Seventh Judicial Court in Flagler County on October 23, prohibiting Adkisson from contacting the affected student and the witness who reported the incident. Adkisson was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 17.
