A now-former Hillsborough County teacher and former football player has been charged with child abuse for allegedly hitting a child with autism in the face, according to Fox 13 in Tampa.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office stated that 39-year-old Prechae Rodriguez, who works at Eisenhower Exceptional Center as a behavioral support teacher, was taken into custody for physically abusing a non-verbal student with autism, the news outlet reported. Investigators were told about the incident on Feb. 8, in which the student hit Rodriguez with his hand. In response to being hit, Rodriguez allegedly punched the 9-year-old in the face, causing the child to fall to the ground. Rodriguez has been charged with a single count of child abuse.
RELATED: Florida Substitute Teacher Who ‘Wanted To Fit In’ Gets Charged With Child Abuse After Letting 7th Grader Hit Her Vape
“I am disgusted by the actions of this individual who was not only in a position of authority and trust but was given the responsibility to protect our most vulnerable,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “No child, under any circumstance, should be subject to this level of violence. There is no place for the abuse of children in our schools or in our community, and our detectives will continue to work to ensure that all of our students are protected.”
Hillsborough County Schools also released a statement once Rodriguez was terminated.
“Mr. Rodriguez was removed from the school while the investigation was going on and has now been terminated from the school district,” the district said in a statement. “We are deeply disturbed by the charges. The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority.”
One group of individuals who are particularly affected by autism are children. Children with autism may struggle with social skills, communication, and behavior in ways that can be challenging for both themselves and their families. However, with early intervention and support, children with autism can thrive and reach their full potential.
One of the hallmark characteristics of autism is difficulty with social interaction. Children with autism may struggle to understand social cues, engage in reciprocal conversation, or make eye contact. This can make it hard for them to form and maintain friendships, and can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
RELATED: UPDATE: Youth Football Coach Investigated For Child Abuse After Smacking Kid On Camera
Communication is another area that can be affected in children with autism. Some children may have delayed speech development, while others may have difficulty with nonverbal communication such as gestures or facial expressions. This can make it hard for children with autism to express their needs and wants, leading to frustration.
