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Osceola school employee arrested on child abuse charges

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — An Osceola County school employee was arrested on child abuse charges after deputies said he slammed a student to the ground during an argument.

On Monday deputies were called to Tohopekaliga High School for a reported assault on a student.

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Deputies said 26-year-old Christopher Ferguson was in a classroom monitoring several students when he told one of the students to leave for using inappropriate language.

Investigators said after class was over, Ferguson called the student back into the classroom and began arguing with him.

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Witnesses told deputies that during the argument, Ferguson grabbed the student, picked him up and slammed the teen to the ground.

After reviewing security video of the incident, deputies arrested Ferguson on child abuse charges.

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Ferguson, who had been with the district for only a week, resigned shortly after his arrest.

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Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.