A Preschool Teacher Grabbed The Groin Of A 3-year-old With Autism, Said The Boy’s Mother Granted Her Permission To “Punish Him”

GAINESVILLE: According to Florida deputies, a preschool teacher pulled a 3-year-old autistic kid by his ear and pinched his crotch area as a form of punishment when he got too rough with another pupil. According to court documents, Keoni Ellis, aged 28, is accused of abusing children without causing them serious physical harm. The Department of Children and Families contacted the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office about the CHILD Center for Early Learning on Thursday just after 1:30 p.m. regarding a potential child abuse case that happened the day before, according to an arrest report that Law&Crime was able to get.

Ellis Is Accused Of Approaching The Victim

Ellis was watching after a few autistic kids in a classroom. The victim & another student looked to be playing about during the event that was caught on camera. Ellis is accused of approaching the victim, bending over, and squeezing him in the groin and upper thighs. According to the affidavit, the youngster “immediately” retreated from Ellis and began massaging the spot where she had squeezed him. Then, according to the affidavit, he pulls away from Ellis even further and “sits with his legs crossed like he is in a discomfortable state.”

After a minute or so, the students resume their horseplay. Ellis allegedly came up to the victim once more, grabbing him “by what seems to be his shoulder and ear” and yanking him away. The affidavit stated that the student appeared to be in agony. According to the affidavit, Ellis told officers after Miranda that she knew the mother and that she had given her permission to “punish him by pinching him.”

Ellis Claimed She Simply Touched The Youngster

Ellis claimed she simply touched the youngster and murmured in his ear that she might tell his mother that he was misbehaving when deputies played the video to her. Ellis denied pinching the boy in the groin. Investigators discovered the youngster had small wounds on his neck and left arm. After being brought to the Alachua County Jail, she subsequently posted a $5,000 bond, according to court documents.