GIBSONTON, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Behavior Support Teacher at Eisenhower Exceptional Center after learning of the abuse of a child with autism at the school.
On February 19, 2024, detectives arrested Prechae Rodriguez, 39, for the abuse of a nine-year-old student with autism who is also non-verbal.
Through investigative means, detectives learned of an incident on February 8, 2024, where the student struck Rodriguez with his hand. Rodriguez then punched the child in the face, causing the child to fall to the ground. Rodriguez is facing one count of child abuse.
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“I am disgusted by the actions of this individual who was not only in a position of authority and trust but was given the responsibility to protect our most vulnerable. No child, under any circumstance, should be subject to this level of violence,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “There is no place for the abuse of children in our schools or in our community, and our detectives will continue to work to ensure that all of our students are protected.”
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