Osceola Co. teacher accused of using hot sauce to discipline students

KISSIMMEE, Fla.,None — A special needs teacher in Osceola County could be fired for allegedly using hot sauce to discipline her students.

Lillian Gomez is currently suspended from her job at Sunrise Elementary School in Kissimmee.

She’s accused of pouring the hot sauce on crayons to stop autistic children from putting them in their mouths.

Family members of some of the students involved told WFTV they want Gomez fired.

"I was really upset. I couldn't believe it. Honestly, I was like how can a teacher of so many years do something like that,” said Osceola County resident, Karina Holguin. “They got to be traumatized, especially for a kid who can't express himself like any other children that can tell you this hurts or doesn’t hurt.”

Holguin said she's outraged because two of those children are her 5-year-old nephews.

The alleged incident happened last fall.

When the district found out about it, Gomez was removed from the classroom.

The superintendent is now requesting she be fired. A termination hearing is set for later this month.

WFTV