Parents have expressed outrage after a 54-year-old Florida elementary school teacher was seen slamming a kindergartner to the ground after the minor threw a piece of paper. According to Local 10 News, the alleged October 10 assault occurred at the Margate Elementary School in Broward County.
The incident, which was captured on surveillance video, was witnessed by Khadijah Tynnettta Muhammad’s colleagues as well as other students. Authorities said the victim and other students were initially seated on a hallway floor when the boy threw a piece of paper toward a different student.
An officer wrote in the arrest report that Muhammad then walked towards the boy in “an aggressive manner and physically grabbed him by his left wrist.” “She continued to lift him off the ground by his arms, twist his arms and grabbed him by the back of his shirt while shoving him across the hallway,” the report added.
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“She ripped the jacket off his back and continuously grabbed the student by his arms, wrists, shirt and jacket until the altercation ended. Towards the end of the video, which was partially blocked from the camera view, she appeared to grab him around his neck and slam him to the ground.”
Muhammad, who was later arrested at her home, has since been charged with child abuse. Parents who spoke with Local 10 News in the aftermath of the incident registered their displeasure over the 54-year-old teacher’s actions.
“I know our kids may act out at times, but if there’s a problem, leave the disciplining to the parents,” Nikki Glasco said. Another parent, Marilyn White, also said it was “very disgusting to know that that happened.” “I would have never expected that from Margate,” White added.
Muhammad remained a school district employee as of October 20. “The safety and well-being of students are always our highest priority,” said the school district in a statement.
“The school is working closely with law enforcement regarding this situation, and the teacher involved has been reassigned away from students and the school pending the outcome of the case. We defer to the Margate Police Department for any additional details they can provide regarding their investigation.”
