PALM COAST, Fla. — An investigation into child abuse has led to the arrest of an Indian Trails Middle School employee in Flagler County, according to deputies.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says Cheryl Andrews was arrested on Thursday following the investigation.
Deputies say the agency was first notified of an incident back in late September when the Department of Children and Families said that Andrews allegedly struck a student.
Investigators say surveillance footage from inside the school shows Andrews walking behind a student and striking him. Then deputies say Andrews is seen walking back to the student before aggressively shoving his head and putting a hand around his face.
After the investigation began on October 4, deputies say they learned the student was nonverbal.
Investigators also say that witnesses told detectives that Andrews is aggressive towards all students, and the actions against the victim were unprovoked.
When interviewed, deputies say Andrews state she "didn't know why she did that." She also acknowledged that she knows the victim is a student with disabilities.
Andrews was brought to the Flagler County Jail and later bonded out.
In a statement to WESH 2 News, a spokesperson for Flagler County schools said
"(Andrews) is currently on paid administrative leave pending further investigation."
