Brenda Nelson, 65, was terminated from her job after she physically abused a special needs student on a bus
A bus attendant in Polk County, Florida was captured on video threatening and physically abusing a special needs student.
Police officials released recent footage that shows Brenda Nelson, 65, striking a child with her hand before walking to the back of the bus to assist another rider.
Before long, Nelson returns to the seat of the special needs student, where she proceeds to aggressively shake the child’s head after she fails to stop screaming.
The furious attendant can be heard threatening her: ‘I’m gonna slap that tongue out of your mouth when I get up there.’
Before walking away again, Nelson is shown quickly slapping the girl once more.
During questioning, Nelson alleged the student had been acting out and ‘beating on the window, trying to leave her seat,’ according to WKRN, however, footage captured from inside the bus shows otherwise.
Police officials released footage showing bus attendant Brenda Nelson striking a child and shaking her head with her hand
The child can be heard wailing out in pain from the abusive events that took place last week
Nelson can be heard threatening: ‘I’m gonna slap that tongue out of your mouth when I get up there’
Before walking away again, Nelson is shown quickly slapping the girl once more
Nelson said she didn’t recall abusing the student, while telling deputies, ‘I guess I done it … I must have just lost it. I don’t remember doing that. I would never hit one of those kids.’
The child, a student at the Doris Sanders Learning Center in Lakeland, can be heard wailing out in agony during the abusive events.
Investigation ruled Nelson’s actions to be not proper disciplinary manner – specifically citing the student’s severe mobility and epileptic conditions.
‘Ms. Nelson grabbed the hair of this child and shook her head violently. She hit her on top of the head. It’s just a shame,’ Scott Wilder, of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, told the newspaper.
She can be heard threatening the child who fails to keep quiet on the bus ride
Nelson said she didn’t recall abusing the student, while telling deputies, ‘I guess I done it … I must have just lost it’
The Office of Professional Standards is investigating the matter further
Nelson was jailed and later released on bond. She has been charged with child abuse.
The longtime attendant was also terminated from her position under Polk County Public Schools.
The district has since released an official statement on the matter.
‘Our children are the single most precious thing on this earth. At Polk County Public Schools, our most important job is to protect them, to provide them with a safe environment in which they can grow, learn and thrive.
‘This employee squandered the trust of the children and families in her care. She does not embody the values of Polk County Public Schools, and I will not tolerate it,’ Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said.
‘I have instructed my HR staff to immediately begin the process of termination.’
The Office of Professional Standards is currently investigating the matter further.
The child is a student at the Doris Sanders Learning Center (shown) in Lakeland, Florida