A 48-year-old preschool teacher in Vero Beach, Florida, has been arrested and fired after she was allegedly caught on video aggressively handling a 4-year-old boy with autism during a classroom incident. The arrest has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stronger protections for children with special needs in educational settings.
Teacher Arrested Following Alleged Abuse
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responded to Kids City preschool on Tuesday after the school’s owner reported a disturbing case of possible child abuse. The school had reviewed surveillance footage showing teacher Alice Wood forcefully grabbing and dragging a young boy with autism across the classroom floor.
According to the arrest affidavit, the incident began when the boy, who has behavioral challenges, threw crayons in frustration. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Wood reacting aggressively, grabbing the child by both arms and pulling him so forcefully that his head jerked backward.
She then dragged him approximately three feet across the floor before letting him go, causing one of his arms to hit the ground.
Later, Wood allegedly pushed the boy back into his chair, again with enough force to cause his head to snap back. Police said she continued to restrain him until another teacher entered the room.
Injuries and Investigation
The boy was left with a “large inflamed area” near his shoulder, consistent with being roughly grabbed, according to investigators. Officers noted he appeared “timid” during the investigation.
A behavior therapist working with the child told detectives the boy has occasional outbursts and throws items, but he is not aggressive or a danger to others.
The school had a behavior management plan in place that involved a “basket hold”—a non-aggressive method of momentarily calming him. This policy was not followed by Wood during the incident.
Wood’s Statement and Arrest
When officers interviewed Alice Wood at her home, she initially claimed that the child had tripped or fallen. She also alleged that the boy had punched her. However, none of these claims were supported by the video footage reviewed by police.
Wood later admitted that her reaction was inappropriate and said she became angry after the boy threw “one too many crayons” at her. She also acknowledged that the force she used was excessive. She was arrested and taken to jail before posting bond. She is currently awaiting a court hearing scheduled for July 10.
School and Legal Response
The daycare owner confirmed to local media that Wood had been fired but declined to provide further comment. Wood’s attorney has not yet responded to requests for statements.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and the case has drawn public attention due to the victim’s age and special needs. Child welfare advocates and local residents are calling for strict penalties and better training for teachers working with children who have developmental conditions.