Brevard teacher accused of abusing special needs students

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A 35-year-old teacher, accused of abusing two special needs students, bonded out of jail Thursday morning, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

Alison Workman was a pre-kindergarten special needs teacher at Mila Elementary on Merritt Island.

She faces felony charges, accused of yanking and grabbing two 4-year-olds to the point that it left them with visible marks and scratches.

"At least a couple of the children had gone to an adult previously and said something about being hurt," said Brevard County Sheriff's Office Lt. Tod Goodyear.

The Department of Children and Families and sheriff's deputies launched an investigation after getting an anonymous tip about the abuse earlier this month.

Investigators said they interviewed the victim and other students in the classroom.

Workman turned herself in Wednesday after authorities said they got a warrant for her arrest.

"That's horrible. I went to that school when I was a child. Nope, nope, I'm not happy about it at all," said resident Ally Bassett.

Investigators said Workman had been working at the school for about five years and hasn't been in trouble before.

Deputies said they don't think there are any more victims, but they aren't ruling it out.

If anyone has information that the abuse may have happened before, they're asked to call the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

WFTV