Alice Wood, 48, was charged with child abuse after admitting to police that her actions were 'excessive'
A Boy with Autism Had Thrown 'One Too Many Crayons.' Now His Pre-School Teacher is Charged with Abusing Him.Sean Neumann is a reporter at PEOPLE. He has been working at PEOPLE since 2019. His work has previously appeared in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, ESPN, and more.
A former preschool teacher has been charged with child abuse after police in Florida say she forcefully grabbed and dragged a 4-year-old boy with autism to the ground.. Citing an arrest affidavit, the outlets reported that 48-year-old Alice Wood was taken into custody after allegedly admitting her actions were “excessive” and claiming she “regretted doing it" — but not before she initially blamed the 4-year-old boy for throwing “one too many crayons” at her. Wood was later fired from her position at Kid City USA, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers, who spoke with the daycare center’s owner Jessica Perkinson. “After careful thought, we made the decision to part ways with Miss Alice out of our desire to provide only the best care for our little learners,” Perkinson told the newspaper in a statement. “We want to assure you that this decision was made with the best interest of the children and the overall school environment in mind.” CBS 12 reported that the boy’s behavioral technician at the school had left the classroom to use the bathroom when the alleged assault took place. The technician returned to find the 4-year-old boy laying on the ground and “visibly upset.” Detectives arrived at the scene to interview the technician and review security footage, which allegedly showed Wood grabbing the boy’s arms and dragging him at least three feet before forcing him to the ground, CBS 12 reported, citing the arrest affidavit. Security video allegedly showed the boy trying to get up as Wood allegedly held him down by his head, using her hand, according to CBS 12. The outlet reported that the boy’s behavioral technician told police the boy never posed any danger to anyone else.Police interviewed Wood at her home the next day, according to CBS 12 and WPBF. The outlets reported that Wood told a detective the 4-year-old boy punched her in the stomach and threw crayons at her. She also initially denied dragging the boy and claimed he tripped, the outlets reported, citing the arrest affidavit. Wood allegedly later confessed her actions went too far and she was arrested on one count of child abuse, according to the outlets.If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Teacher Accused of Killing Man While Driving Drunk to School — Then, She Fled Scene to Get to Work, Say PoliceTeacher Resigns After 11-Year-Old Girl Receives 'Incredibly Upsetting' Letter: 'You Know I Truly Love You' Teacher Forced 7-Year-Old Boy with Special Needs to Eat His Own Vomit: Why Wasn't She Sentenced to Prison? Alabama Teacher Charged with Rape After Allegedly Having an 'Inappropriate Sexual Relationship' with a 12-Year-Old BoyA Teacher, a Beloved Family: What We Know About Victims of Vancouver Attack Where Is Madeleine McCann's Suspected Killer Now? What to Know About Christian Brueckner's Life as He Serves Time for a Different Crime Arkansas School Director Among 4 Accused of Running 'Makeshift Child Fight Club' and Permitting Child Abuse After Paramedic's Wife Died, She Started Babysitting His Kids. Then the Sitter Noticed Something Wasn’t Right Fla. Nurse Has License Suspended After Allegedly Being Caught Sexually Abusing Stepson, 15, by Child's FatherGirl Was Chained in Basement for Years, Sex Trafficked and Mutilated. She Survived by Drinking Puddle Water: AuthoritiesDiddy 'Is Very Eager' to Testify at His Sex Abuse Trial but That Would 'Expose Him,' Expert Says 1-Year-Old in Critical Condition After Vancouver Festival Attack, His ‘Devoted and Loving Father’ Also Hospitalized
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Autism Awareness Day: Supporting those with Autism Spectrum DisorderAutism Awareness Day is April 2, a time to show support for those with autism spectrum disorder.
Read more »
Autism expert interprets new CDC numbers, questions ability to eliminate autismDr. Wiznitzer also questioned the secretary’s claims that autism could be controlled through environmental changes since, Wiznitzer contends, autism is genetically based.
Read more »
The HHS Secretary's lack of knowledge about autism places those with autism at risk.The HHS Secretary's lack of knowledge about autism places those with autism at risk.
Read more »
Annual Walk for Autism: Fiesta event highlights autism awarenessA Fiesta event to help raise awareness and appreciation for children with autism is set to happen Saturday. One mother says finding a village has brought relief and joy to her journey.
Read more »
Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles put spotlight on kids with autismThe Eagles Autism Foundation has helped kids with autism since 2018.
Read more »
‘Hoops for Autism’ basketball tournament raises money to train kids with autismThe tournament raised money for the team’s newly formed “Bounce Buddies” program, a basketball training initiative for autistic kids.
Read more »