[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content] A Florida preschool teacher is facing felony child abuse charges after allegedly striking a 4-year-old boy repeatedly on a school playground.
According to a press release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Ashley Richards (above) was cuffed and charged on Wednesday with one count of child abuse in the third degree.
The 32-year-old was allegedly recorded punching a young boy in the head on the playground of KinderCare Learning Center in Dunedin thanks to a witness who heard the boy’s screams and captured the alleged incident on their cell phone. Related: Britney Spears’ Ex-Husband Facing Two FELONY Charges For Alleged Bracelet Theft! The press release stated: Officials viewed the cell phone footage, according to an arrest affidavit, which reportedly showed the teacher pulling the boy over her legs and repeatedly punching him as he shouted in pain.
The witness told police they started recording the incident after observing the teacher push the 4-year-old to the ground. Related: Woman Arrested After Inmate She Kissed During Prison Visit Dies Mysteriously When police interviewed the boy, the child said he was fighting with his brother and was hit by Richards “as a form of punishment,” the affidavit stated.
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