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A substitute teacher at a Prince Williams County elementary school was arrested and is facing charges after allegedly slapping an 8-year-old student in a classroom, police said.
Eman Mohammed Alkindi, 44, was arrested on April 8 and faced assault and battery charges for the incident on April 1 at Fannie Fitzgerald Elementary in Woodbridge, Virginia, Fox 5 DC reported
.Authorities said an eight-year-old male student became upset and reportedly spat on Alkindi, who then slapped the boy in the face before leaving the classroom. Staff members who witnessed the alleged assault notified school officials and the police.
In a letter to parents, the school’s principal George Wright confirmed that the substitute teacher had been arrested and charged with battery and assault. Since then, he has resigned from his position at the school.
Alkindi was released on a court summons and awaits a pending court date.
Though the 8-year-old student was a minor, spitting on someone is still considered assault. According to Virginia law, if a person deliberately spits on another individual, they could face an assault and battery conviction with 12 months in jail.
Earlier this year, a Fred Lynn Middle School teacher was charged with assault and battery after allegedly spitting on a student.
Eselyn Maheia, 46, was accused of spitting on a 14-year-old boy who was experiencing a mental health crisis, WTOP reported.
Police partnered with Child Protective Services (CPS) and investigated the classroom incident on Feb. 4.
According to reports, the student was restrained by several staff members, including Maheia, to prevent him from harming himself and other students. After being released, police said Maheia spat on the boy before letting him go.
Authorities said staff members who witnessed the alleged assault reported the incident to the school administration and notified CPS.
The former teacher was released on Friday, Feb. 11, on a court summons.