Florida Teacher Arrested Over Alleged Dragging of Student
Florida teacher faces felony child abuse charge after surveillance video shows her allegedly dragging a seventh-grade student.
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A Florida public school teacher has been arrested on a felony child abuse charge after authorities allege she dragged a seventh-grade student 20 feet by the arm. Fada Concepcion, 52, a science teacher at Tuskawilla Middle School in Seminole County, was arrested by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office following an incident on September 29.
Allegations and Investigation
According to an arrest report obtained by WFTV, investigators allege Concepcion grabbed the student from his seat during third-period science class and dragged him by the arm into an exterior hallway. The alleged incident was captured on the school’s surveillance camera system.
School officials became aware of the allegation the following day after Assistant Principal Cynthia Woods received a statement from a student. Woods then notified Principal Randy Shuler, child protection officials, and a school resource deputy. Another assistant principal later reviewed surveillance footage and contacted deputies.
Investigators subsequently interviewed 15 students who had been marked present during the class. The student involved also provided a sworn statement, while his father reportedly told investigators he had not given Concepcion permission to physically handle his son and wanted authorities to pursue the matter.
Defense and Legal Proceedings
Concepcion disputes investigators’ version of events. During questioning, she reportedly told deputies she did not remember “dragging” the student and maintained that she had instead escorted him from the classroom while he repeatedly slumped over. Her attorney also challenged prosecutors’ characterization of the encounter during a bond hearing.
The defense argued that the student had been misbehaving and had not suffered bruising or other physical injuries, drawing a distinction between investigators describing the encounter as “dragging” and Concepcion describing it as “escorting.” However, prosecutors pushed back, and the judge ultimately found probable cause for the case to proceed.
Prosecutors initially sought a $5,000 bond, but the judge reduced Concepcion’s bond to $1,000. She was also ordered to have no contact with the student and prohibited from returning to Tuskawilla Middle School for the time being. Seminole County Public Schools placed Concepcion on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The district stated it takes allegations concerning student safety seriously and will continue cooperating with law enforcement and its Office of Professional Standards. Concepcion is scheduled to return to court on November 10.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
