School calls alleged assault on autistic 8-year-old ‘de-escalation,’ police investigate

A Florida educator has been accused of "forcefully slamming" an 8-year-old autistic student to the ground despite the child not showing any aggression towards her.

Nikol Marie Rodriguez, 29, faces a single charge of child abuse without severe physical harm. 

As per a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, the event took place on March 3 at Peace Christian Academy in Hialeah.

Rodriguez has been responsible for supervising the child at the institution since the beginning of the 2024 academic year.

Authorities mentioned that the child understands basic instructions but struggles to express his needs clearly. 

The incident was recorded on a surveillance camera, which police obtained after a subpoena was issued.

The report states that the teacher was with the child and two other students in a classroom. 

The child was sitting incorrectly, so Rodriguez spun him around in an "aggressive manner," officers noted. A short while later, the child moved to a bean bag and sat down.

"Although the CCTV lacked audio, the child did not exhibit any physically threatening actions," officers stated. "The child was merely seated."

Rodriguez approached the boy from behind and reportedly pulled his hands back. The child attempted to break free and seemed to be "in agony," officers described. Rodriguez struggled with him, allegedly "seen forcefully slamming the child's upper body and head onto the classroom floor."

She also "forcefully pressed" the boy into a supine position as he kicked his legs, according to officers. 

The accused then allegedly pinned the child's arm to the floor with her leg. Eventually, Rodriguez released him but then allegedly pushed him into a table when he tried to stand.

The child's mother noticed injuries while bathing him. He allegedly had a small puncture wound on his right arm, "finger bruise marks" on his left arm, and scratches on his chest.

A school report acquired by police indicated that Rodriguez was employing "supportive de-escalation procedures" in response to the boy's "escalating behavior," as per the complaint.

During her bond hearing, Rodriguez's attorney reiterated this sentiment.

"The child was misbehaving, and she was trying to restrain him," he stated, according to a local ABC affiliate WPLG.

Officers arrested Rodriguez on Thursday and took her into custody, where she later posted a $5,000 bond. Her next court appearance is not yet scheduled.