A Florida teacher has been placed under arrest due to surveillance footage depicting her forcefully throwing an 8-year-old pupil with autism and ADHD onto the classroom floor multiple times, according to police.
Nikol Marie Rodriguez, age 29, residing in Miramar, was arrested on Thursday and indicted with one count of child abuse without inflicting grave bodily injury. The assaults occurred on March 4 at Peace Christian Academy in Hialeah, police stated.
The kid with autism and ADHD is capable of comprehending elementary directives but is unable to formulate complex requests. He resides with his mother and has never demonstrated any tendencies toward violence.
Rodriguez served as the principal educator of the child from August 2024 onward and was responsible for supervising and providing services necessary to maintain his physical and psychological well-being, according to an incident report reviewed by Local 10.
According to police, classroom surveillance footage indicates that Rodriguez grabbed the boy’s left arm, followed by his right arm and biceps, and turned him roughly shortly before 11 a.m. At noon 45, video footage shows the boy peacefully seated on the floor, with no aggressive behavior, according to police.
Regardless, Rodriguez reportedly seized the boy’s hands and held them behind his back. Another student present in the classroom covered his face and ears, police reported. According to police, the boy appeared to be suffering pain.
Furthermore, Rodriguez reportedly threw the boy’s upper body and head down onto the classroom floor and restrained his hands. She also reportedly assaulted him against a table when he attempted to rise to his feet, police reported. The educator failed to provide any attention to the boy and seek medical care following the assault, police added.
Later, the boy’s mother discovered injuries, including bruises, scratches, and a puncture wound, inflicted on the boy’s chest, arm, and biceps, according to police.
As per the internal report provided by the school, Rodriguez’s actions constituted “supportive de-escalation,” which was conducted to prevent the child from hurting himself and others and attempting to “provide physical support” by restraining the student.
Rodriguez refused to comment on the allegations through her lawyer, Christopher Pracitto, requesting a reduced bond. Her plea was rejected. Rodriguez paid a $5,000 bail on Saturday. She has also been prohibited from contacting the child.
