A Boy with Autism Had Thrown 'One Too Many Crayons.' Now His Pre-School Teacher Is Charged with Abusing Him

A former preschool teacher has been charged with child abuse after police in Florida say she forcefully grabbed and dragged a 4-year-old boy with autism to the ground.

The incident took place last Tuesday, according to local CBS 12, WPBF, and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Citing an arrest affidavit, the outlets reported that 48-year-old Alice Wood was taken into custody after allegedly admitting her actions were “excessive” and claiming she “regretted doing it” — but not before she initially blamed the 4-year-old boy for throwing “one too many crayons” at her.

Wood was later fired from her position at Kid City USA, according to Treasure Coast Newspapers, who spoke with the daycare center’s owner Jessica Perkinson.

“After careful thought, we made the decision to part ways with Miss Alice out of our desire to provide only the best care for our little learners,” Perkinson told the newspaper in a statement. “We want to assure you that this decision was made with the best interest of the children and the overall school environment in mind.”

CBS 12 reported that the boy’s behavioral technician at the school had left the classroom to use the bathroom when the alleged assault took place. The technician returned to find the 4-year-old boy laying on the ground and “visibly upset.”

Detectives arrived at the scene to interview the technician and review security footage, which allegedly showed Wood grabbing the boy’s arms and dragging him at least three feet before forcing him to the ground, CBS 12 reported, citing the arrest affidavit.

Security video allegedly showed the boy trying to get up as Wood allegedly held him down by his head, using her hand, according to CBS 12. The outlet reported that the boy’s behavioral technician told police the boy never posed any danger to anyone else.

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Police interviewed Wood at her home the next day, according to CBS 12 and WPBF. The outlets reported that Wood told a detective the 4-year-old boy punched her in the stomach and threw crayons at her. She also initially denied dragging the boy and claimed he tripped, the outlets reported, citing the arrest affidavit. 

Wood allegedly later confessed her actions went too far and she was arrested on one count of child abuse, according to the outlets.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office for more information.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.