RIVERVIEW, Fla. — A Giunta Middle School teacher is accused of slapping the face of a student after he allegedly made a profane comment on Friday, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
- Teacher Sheila Marie Vakili is charged with child abuse
- Student's face had redness and swelling
Teacher Sheila Marie Vakili was in the classroom of the Riverview middle school, located on 4202 South Falkenburg Rd., when she heard a 13-year-old male student make a profane comment during class, stated Crystal Clark, a public relations coordinator for the Sheriff's Office.
The 63-year-old Vakili thought he called her a profane and slapped his face, which caused redness and swelling, described Clark in a news release.
Students in the classroom were interviewed by deputies and their stories were consistent to what is believed what happened in the classroom, stated Clark.
Vakili refused to be interviewed by deputies on the advice of her attorney and a teacher's union representative, confirmed Clark.
The teacher was arrested for child abuse and was booked at the Orient Road Jail.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said the matter is being taken seriously.
"A teacher is supposed to be a role model to the young people in their classrooms and set an example for how to behave, even at a time of frustration. It is never acceptable for a teacher to become physically violent with a student," he was quoted in the news release.
Teacher Sheila Marie Vakili thought the student called her a profane name. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)