FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A substitute teacher at Matanzas High School was arrested after deputies said he kicked a student with disabilities in the leg.
Bryan Schewitz, 60, of Flagler Beach, faces a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. He was released from jail on $2,500 bond.
A school resource deputy learned about the incident from an assistant principal Oct. 16.
Witnesses describe classroom encounter
One witness told deputies Schewitz forcefully moved the student into a chair during a behavioral episode, made him place his hands on a table and said, “The gloves are off.”
The witness said Schewitz’s treatment of the student made her uncomfortable.
A second witness reported seeing Schewitz kick the student in the leg. The witness later noticed a large mark on the student’s leg and asked Schewitz what happened, deputies said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Schewitz replied, “He kicked me and I kicked him. So now we’re square.”
The student also told school officials that Schewitz had kicked him, according to the release.
Substitute teacher says kick was accidental
Schewitz told deputies the student arrived late, would not sit down and kicked him in the leg. Schewitz said he then stuck his foot out and accidentally kicked the student.
He also told investigators the student had been trying to poke other students with a pencil, so he placed a hand on the student’s shoulder and guided him toward a chair.
Schewitz initially denied making the remark about kicking the student back, according to deputies. He later said he had told the witness the kick was accidental.
Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said the district takes incidents requiring investigation seriously.
“Our primary focus remains on supporting our students as we work diligently to provide safe learning environments for every student,” Moore said. “This kind of behavior will not be tolerated on our campuses.”
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