Volusia County teacher arrested, accused of kicking special needs student, 6, in lunchroom

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County teacher was arrested Tuesday following accusations of kicking a 6-year-old student with special needs in the lunchroom, according to an incident report.

Spirit Elementary School teacher Holly Eicher, 62, is charged with child abuse without great harm.

According to the incident report, the 6-year-old’s parents noticed bruising on the boy’s shoulders after he returned home from school on Feb. 14. The report says the boy’s father called deputies Monday morning after another parent reported that a student in the boy’s class had been kicked.

READ: Volusia County elementary school principal demoted after reports of harassment, intimidation

Witnesses told deputies that Eichner kicked the boy in the lunchroom while trying to restrain him in his seat after they said the boy started screaming at her.

The kick made the boy “scream in pain from being struck and caused him to spill his applesauce,” a witness told deputies.

School Principal Carrie Devaney sent a recorded message out to parents to inform them of the incident Tuesday.

“This morning, an employee was arrested on campus on criminal allegations,” Devaney said in the message. “There was no disruption to the school day activities. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.”

Eichner bonded out of the Volusia County Jail and the school district said she has been placed on paid leave.

Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for updates.

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