MANATEE – A teacher’s aid is facing serious charges of child abuse after he’s allegedly captured on video repeatedly bouncing a ball off a small child’s head.
According to the affidavit report Bradenton police arrested Quintin Bradley and charged with one count of child abuse and now a second teacher could also face felony charges.
“I’m a parent of small children, I was disgusted,” said Captain Brian Thiers.
Police arrested 40-year-old Bradley after he was reported to have allegedly bounced a large rubber ball off a nonverbal autistic 5- year- old students head at Roger Gardens Elementary School.
“The allegation was that a paraprofessional working with special needs children had used a, were calling it a medium size bouncy ball, he had used it to bounce it off the child’s face,” said Thiers.
Police reports sates Bradley hits the student four times with the ball and fakes throwing it a fifth time. Surveillance footage released by police captures the ordeal.
“I was angry, shocked.” said Theirs. “We put faith in our teachers; we put faith in our people who watch our children. This person violated that trust of a parent.”
Bradley has been placed on administrative leave.
A spokesperson with Manatee County School was not available for an on camera interview but did release the following statement. As soon as the allegations were brought to the attention of the District, Mr. Bradley and Ms. Hampton were immediately removed from any contact with students. The District has and will fully cooperate with law enforcement.”
School officials have also placed on leave Vicki Hampton the teacher who was allegedly present at the time of the incident. Hampton has not been arrested or charged.
“It’s obvious by the video that there was a level of aggression that goes above and beyond playing. This is a malicious act by this individual,” said Thiers.
Bradley has bonded out of jail and as previously mention is on administrative leave and faces charges of child abuse. There’s an ongoing investigation as to charge Hampton with Failure to Report which is a felony.
