WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A former ESE Teacher is arrested and charged with child abuse following a report of criminal misconduct involving a student in her classroom.
Wednesday, December 11th, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office was notified by school administration at the Wise Center in DeFuniak Springs of a Department of Children and Families complaint regarding ESE Teacher Tonya Gainey, 57.
School administration was made aware of the incident which occurred the previous day, Tuesday, December 10th, and notified DCF that evening.
Wednesday morning, school administrators informed Gainey she was being reassigned to remove her from having further contact with students until the conclusion of the investigation.
Gainey was uncooperative and refused to leave campus eventually leading her to be escorted and ultimately trespassed from school property by the School Resource Deputy. In the midst of her refusing to leave campus, Gainey submitted her resignation via email.
School staff contacted parents of the students in Gainey’s class by phone and a notification was sent to all Wise Center parents through the Remind app.
Subsequently, a criminal investigation was launched into the complaint in cooperation with the Walton County School District.
During the investigation, video surveillance shows Gainey slam down the arm of a non-verbal three-year-old during lunchtime. The video then shows Gainey throwing away the student’s food and ignoring him for the rest of the period. During this time, the student can be visually seen crying and in pain.
Thursday, with the assistance of the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center a medical evaluation was completed, and witnesses were interviewed.
Friday morning, a warrant was issued for Gainey, and she was ultimately arrested Friday afternoon in Okaloosa County and transported to Okaloosa County Jail where she awaits extradition.
“Our agency worked diligently to assess the full scope of the situation,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Her behavior is unacceptable, and the charges reflect that.”
The post FORMER WISE CENTER ESE TEACHER ARRESTED ON CHILD ABUSE CHARGES FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.
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