Sherri Evans Robinson (Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Mugshot)
A 55-year-old teacher has been arrested for child abuse after allegations surfaced that she pulled the hair and ears of a child with special needs, authorities said.
Sherri Evans Robinson, an outstanding student education teacher at Wildwood Elementary School, was taken to the Sumter County Detention Center on Thursday and charged with cruelty to children without grievous bodily harm, authorities said. The school is approximately 50 miles northwest of Orlando, Florida.
“Robinson would pull a special needs child’s hair and ears to comply, knowing it would cause them pain and discomfort,” police said.
The arrest came after the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office was notified Tuesday of allegations of physical abuse against a Wildwood Elementary School teacher, officials said.
Sumter County School Board Deputy Superintendent Deborah Moffitt released a statement regarding Robinson’s arrest to CBS Orlando affiliate WKMG on Friday, saying:
“Student safety is of the utmost importance, and the school and school district have cooperated fully with law enforcement. While everyone has the presumption of innocence, Ms. Robinson will have no contact. with the students pending the outcome of the judgment.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said investigators interviewed witnesses and concluded that the defendant “used physical force to obtain compliance from a child with special needs in his classroom when the victim acted.” .
“The priority of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is to protect the victim and their identity, therefore no further information is being released,” officials said.
Robinson was released from jail Thursday night after posting $2,000 bond. It is not known whether she has retained the services of a lawyer.
If anyone has any information about this case, contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
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