SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies in Seminole County said a middle school teacher was arrested on accusations that she physically abused a student.
Fada Concepcion, a seventh-grade science teacher at Tuskawilla Middle School, was arrested Thursday by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
She faces a third-degree felony charge of child abuse without great bodily harm.
According to an arrest report, the charge stems from an incident last Tuesday, Sept. 29, during a third-period class at the school in unincorporated Seminole County.
Investigators said Concepcion grabbed a student out of his seat and dragged him by his arm for a distance of at least 20 feet into an exterior hallway.
School administrators first received notice of the allegation Wednesday, Sept. 30, when Assistant Principal Cynthia Woods received a statement from a student.
Woods notified Principal Randy Shuler, state child protection officials and a school resource deputy.
On Thursday, Assistant Principal Ryan Garrett alerted deputies after reviewing school video footage showing the incident.
Sheriff’s deputies interviewed Concepcion in the school principal’s conference room.
During questioning, Concepcion stated she had no recollection of dragging the student into the hallway, but said she escorted him out while he repeatedly slumped over.
She was unable to explain why the incident occurred, according to a report.
Investigators interviewed 15 students who were marked present in the science class during third period.
Deputies also met with the student and his father.
The student provided a sworn statement and his father told law enforcement that he did not give permission for the teacher to touch his son and wished to press charges.
A spokesperson for Seminole County Public Schools released the following statement to Channel 9:
“We take all allegations involving our students’ safety and well-being seriously and will respond quickly. This teacher is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and the Office of Professional Standards in accordance with district policies and procedures.”
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