BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A woman who was hired to help Brevard County students with special needs is facing felony charges of abusing two adults in her care.
Connie Smith is accused of slapping her hand over one victim's mouth and shoving a spoon into another victim's mouth.
She was fired last month from Brevard County Public Schools.
Smith turned herself in to police on Tuesday after weeks of investigation. She’s facing five felony charges of abuse of the disabled.
Cocoa police said there were witnesses to both physical and verbal abuse.
Smith bonded out of the Brevard County Jail on Wednesday afternoon.
The allegations involve two exceptional student education, or ESE, adults with cerebral palsy.
According to investigators, the abuse was first reported in May after a special education teacher emailed a supervisor at Cocoa High School.
Smith was removed as a personal assistant as police investigated.
One witness reported seeing Smith slam one of the victim's hands against a table.
Another witness said Smith shoved a spoon into the same victim's mouth with enough force to cause it to bleed.
Witnesses said Smith tried to silence another student by slapping her hand over his mouth, or covering it with a towel.
Smith worked for the district for almost 17 years in various support positions, according to the school district.
She had no disciplinary history and no problems in her background checks.