Photo Courtesy NBC Miami
A five-year-old student attacked his teacher, rendering her unconscious and in need of hospitalization.
Last Wednesday, the special needs pupil in pre-K allegedly ambushed Trisha Meadows at the Pines Lake Elementary School in Broward County, Florida. The child reportedly was throwing objects around, including chairs, with a four-year-old student in the classroom. Meadows attempted to admonish the disorderly, unidentified child by bringing them to the “cool-down room.” Things took a turn for the worse when the youngster allegedly used hands and feet to pummel the teacher, and after Meadows was down– the child used its body as a projectile.
The injured instructor managed to radio for help. When police responded, Meadows was found perched up against a wall, weak and unresponsive. The news outlet also reported that she was unable to communicate.
The latest incident made the third time the five-year-old student allegedly physically attacked Meadows. On another occasion, Meadows was knocked unconscious after the student pushed a bookshelf on top of the defenseless teacher.
Broward County Teachers Union President Anna Fusco expressed her concerns regarding the teacher’s safety.
“She has been hospitalized several times by this student,” Fusco said. “It’s not the first time, not the second time. It’s the third time. The district has failed. They need to get in there, and when the teachers are saying, ‘I’ve got this happening,’ whether it’s one time.”
“He actually ran and attacked and jumped on her with his whole body weight. She fell and hit her head, which caused the severe injury and other bodily injuries where she is going to need surgery.”
“It should never get past one time when it’s that severe of rage and violence,” she added. “She is a sweet teacher. I mean, like, I trust this woman with my child. That’s a second mom. It’s really sad. It’s sad. It’s heartbreaking.”
Meadows has been a teacher for 13 years. WSVN reported that the Pembroke Pines Police Department is still investigating and that the teacher won’t likely return to Pines Lake Elementary.
The five-year-old special needs student will not face criminal charges.
The school district responded to the incident with a statement.
“The safety of our teachers, staff and students are always the district’s highest priorities. There was an incident at Pines Lakes Elementary School on Wednesday, March 2, that resulted in a teacher being transported to a local hospital. The situation was investigated by Pembroke Pines Police and handled in accordance with District protocols. Due to privacy laws, the district is not able to provide any additional information and defers to Pembroke Pines Police.”
According to U.S. News, Pines Lake Elementary School has a 90.3% minority population, with Black and Latino students making up the primary demographic. Seventy-two percent of the school’s population is also considered economically disadvantaged.