Alice Wood (Indian River County Jail).
A preschool teacher in Florida was arrested for allegedly attacking a 4-year-old autistic boy after she grew frustrated because he repeatedly tossed crayons at her.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office looked into a potential child abuse case at Kids City in Vero Beach, as detailed in a probable cause arrest affidavit. A detective met with the child’s parents at the school after the owner alerted them about an incident involving their son and his 48-year-old teacher, Alice Wood. Following this event, Wood was dismissed from her position, according to the affidavit.
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The owner said she was notified by the boy’s behavior technician about the boy being “visibly upset” when she returned from the bathroom. They watched the video from the classroom, which allegedly showed Wood walking up to the boy who was sitting at a table. She grabbed the boy by both arms and pulled him toward her face “with enough force that his head snaps backward,” according to the affidavit. Wood then dragged the boy across the floor for about three feet before letting go, causing one of his arms to slap onto the ground, the affidavit said.
Wood is also accused of placing the boy back into his chair and pushing him back down, again causing his head to snap back. She eld him there before another teacher entered the room, per cops. The boy had a “large inflamed area” near his shoulder which was consistent of him being grabbed, according to the affidavit. He also appeared to be “timid,” cops noted.
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Detectives spoke with the boy’s behavior therapist who said that while the boy is prone to outbursts and property destruction, he has never been a danger to himself or others. The school also allegedly had a plan to deal with him if he was having an outburst. Staff was supposed to conduct a “basket hold,” which entails placing his hands across the body and momentarily holding him in place, according to the affidavit.
Officers went to Wood’s home to interview her. She claimed the boy suffered injuries after he tripped or fell, cops wrote. Wood also said the boy had punched her but the video did not show this, the affidavit said. She said the boy threw “one too many crayons” at her. The defendant said she regretted the incident and admitted the force was excessive. Cops arrested Wood and took her to jail.
Wood has since posted bond and has a court date scheduled for July 10. Her attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. The daycare owner declined comment to Treasure Coast Newspapers but confirmed Wood was fired.
