Florida Teacher Arrested for Child Abuse Charges

Vilma Otero, a 59-year-old teacher at Forest Lake Elementary in Florida, was arrested for allegedly placing a 3-year-old autistic student in a headlock using her legs during story time. The incident was reported by a paraeducator who witnessed the child crying and turning red as he struggled to free himself. Otero, who has 36 years of experience with special needs children, denied the allegations, claiming her training involved moving disruptive children to another room instead of restraining them. However, evidence, including photos taken by the paraeducator, showed the child in a distressing position while Otero continued reading to the class. The child communicated to deputies that he had been 'hurt' at school. Otero has been charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm and placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Volusia County School District.