Pre-K Teacher Caught Dragging and Shoving Child into Fence

A Florida pre-kindergarten teacher has been arrested after police say disturbing school surveillance footage showed her dragging a young student across concrete, grabbing him around the neck and shoving him face-first into a chain-link fence.

Kathryn Garcia, a teacher at St. Cloud Elementary School in Osceola County, was arrested Friday, October 2, on a felony child abuse charge following an incident on the school playground one day earlier.

According to a St. Cloud Police Department report, the confrontation began October 1 when the child became upset that recess was ending and sat down on the ground rather than returning inside.

Investigators said surveillance footage showed Garcia bending down and grabbing the student’s left arm before aggressively pulling him from the ground.

When the child dropped back down, police said Garcia kicked at his legs, grabbed him by the arm and dragged him across the concrete.

The situation allegedly became even more physical moments later.

According to the police report, Garcia placed both hands around the child’s neck from behind and lifted his head and neck until he was raised from the ground.

Investigators said she then placed one hand beneath the child’s chin, stretched his other arm outward and shoved him face-first into a chain-link fence.

The video also appeared to show Garcia striking the child in the upper torso shortly afterward, police said.

Two other teachers who were on the playground reportedly witnessed portions of the incident and immediately alerted school administrators.

One teacher told investigators she saw Garcia repeatedly jerk the child upward by his wrist, causing him to fall back to the ground more than once.

That witness also alleged Garcia used her feet to kick or shuffle the child along the ground before grabbing him around the neck, pulling him upright and pushing him into the fence.

A second teacher similarly told police she saw Garcia pushing the student and grabbing him around the neck while attempting to lift him.

School administrators were notified that same day, and the Osceola County School Board was informed.

The district said Garcia was removed from the campus pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and the district’s own administrative review.

In a statement released following the arrest, the district said the incident had been immediately reported to both law enforcement and the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“The safety, well-being, and support of every student remain our highest priorities,” the district said, adding that officials are cooperating with authorities.

The child’s parents were also contacted and came to the school.

A school nurse examined the boy and cleared him medically, according to the police report. His mother later provided investigators with a written statement and signed an affidavit indicating she wanted the case prosecuted.

Garcia reportedly offered a different account when questioned by investigators.

She told police the child had become upset because recess was ending and said she tried to lift him from underneath his arms while he resisted standing up.

When investigators asked about allegations that she grabbed the student around the neck, Garcia said she did not remember doing so.

She declined to provide a written statement, according to police.

Garcia is charged with child abuse without great bodily harm under Florida Statute 827.03(2)(c).

Under Florida law, the offense applies when a person knowingly or willfully abuses a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement. It is classified as a third-degree felony.

The arrest does not establish guilt, and the allegations against Garcia will have to be proven in court.

As of Tuesday, October 6, it was not immediately clear whether Garcia had entered a plea or retained an attorney.

The school surveillance footage has been preserved as evidence as the investigation continues.