VIDEO: Titusville Elementary Teacher Accused of Throwing Basketball At Autistic Student’s Face
By WFTV // April 28, 2017
ABOVE VIDEO: A Titusville elementary school teacher is accused of slamming a basketball ball into an autistic student’s face to get his attention. (WFTV video)
BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA (WFTV) – A Titusville elementary school teacher is accused of slamming a basketball ball into an autistic student’s face to get his attention.
Oak Park Elementary School’s physical education coach James Pearson is on administrative leave.
Pearson is under investigation following the incident earlier this month with fifth grade student Darrin Joseph.
“When I was getting a drink, I heard someone say, ‘Hey,’ and that’s when a ball just hit me,” said Joseph.
Joseph’s family said that Pearson struck the boy, who is mildly autistic, in the face with the basketball without warning.
A photo shows swelling on Joseph’s cheek.
“He was upset. His teacher said, ‘What’s going on?’ and the other kids were telling what happened outside with the coach,” said Joseph’s aunt, Urshala Williams.
The school contacted the Department of Children and Families, interviewed students and launched an investigation.
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