THREAD: Florida’s Dept of Children & Families has ruled: principal Melissa Carter, who paddled a 6yo student, was “inappropriate” & caused “significant injury to the child” & should have “no contact with young & vulnerable children in an official capacity”
The investigation by the Department of Children and Families was closed on April 27 but the findings were released today by the attorney for the girl’s family who says he obtained the documents through a public records request. 
The report quotes the school district superintendent as saying: Melissa Carter violated a school board policy by spanking the child, and that she was suspended with pay while the school district investigated. But tonight the district is planning
Carter hasn’t spoken publicly nor has she responded to requests for comment. She did speak with investigators from the dept of children and families. The department reports states this: “Carter stated the child scratched the screen of a chrome book computer & she told...”
“... the childs mother that it would be a $50 damage fee. She stated that the childs mother told her secretary, Mrs Self, that the child has been acting up at home and wanted to know if the school could paddle the child...”
“... Mrs. Self told the mother that she would have to be present for that to happen. The mother came up to the school. During the paddling the mother, child, AP Melissa carter and her secretary Mrs Self were present...”
“... She stated "the 1st lick was a good one and the 2nd and 3rd were soft taps" The mother never tried to stop her or said anything about it being to hard. She is confused why the mother requested it to happen and then recorded it...”
“... She stated after the spanking the principal told the child to start listening to her mom and being respectful. She stated she feels humiliated because the mother has put the video on social media. She stated she would never intentionally hurt a child.”
The attorney for the 6yo child who was paddled says the mother never gave permission for the corporal punishment, but the attorney could not explain why the mother is heard on video saying “thank you” after the principal finishing hitting her child with a a paddle.
Corporal punishment isn’t allowed in Hendry CO, FL. It’s against school board policy. Principal Carter violated that, yet it appears the district will reappoint her principal for another year, at its school board meeting tonight. CBS affiliate @winknews will be there to cover it.
The local Florida state attorney ruled that the principal did not violate the law by paddling the child 3 times. The state attorney declined to prosecute the principal. The principal is now trying to have the mother arrested for recording the principal hitting the child.
Melissa Carter’s attorney says that they are appealing the findings of the department of children and families. They are asking the department to change their reporting report. He calls DCFs report “bogus”
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