DUNEDIN, FL–
A preschool teacher is now behind bars after she reportedly attacked a student in her care.
Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies say one of the suspect’s coworkers contacted them around 1:00 p.m. Wednesday after witnessing the teacher push the 4-year-old victim to the ground and threaten to hit them.
Once authorities arrived at the KinderCare Learning Center, the witness showed deputies a video of 32-year-old Ashley Richards, “repeatedly punching the child with both an open and closed fist to the back and side of the head,” while at the playground.
Richards was taken into custody and charged with one count of child abuse.
KinderCare has since written a statement to McClatchy News saying that the teacher has been fired:
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the children in our care,” the child care and education company, which has centers across the country, said in a statement. “The teacher’s alleged actions do not reflect who we are or the training we provide our teachers. We are working with the police to determine what may or may not have happened.”