A Florida elementary school teacher is facing child abuse charges after allegedly using force against a 6-year-old student with special needs during a classroom disagreement over a toy, according to investigators.
Kevin Adkisson, 52, was arrested following an investigation into two reported incidents involving the child at Wadsworth Elementary School in Palm Coast. Authorities allege that one incident involved the teacher forcefully pulling the boy by the arm, causing him to swing through the air, before pinning him against a wall as he cried that he could not breathe.
Adkisson faces two counts of child abuse without great bodily harm, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. He has since posted a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 17.
The allegations emerged after a paraprofessional working in the school’s emotional and behavioral disorders classroom reported an incident that made her uncomfortable. Investigators say the complaint prompted a closer examination of the teacher’s interactions with the young student.
Classroom Disagreement Allegedly Turned Physical
The reported incident occurred on October 16 during a period of free time in the classroom. Students were allowed to watch a movie or play with toys when a disagreement developed between the victim and another child.
According to the arrest affidavit, both students were holding the same toy and refused to release it. The paraprofessional instructed them to hand it over so she could resolve the dispute.
Adkisson, whom students reportedly knew as Mr. A, allegedly approached and forcefully removed the toy from their hands.
Investigators say the situation escalated when the teacher grabbed the 6-year-old by the arm and pulled him in a rough, swinging motion. The movement allegedly caused the child to swing through the air.
The boy became visibly distressed and crawled beneath his desk while crying and yelling, according to the affidavit.
The teacher allegedly moved the desk and pushed the child against a wall, holding him there while the boy protested that he was being hurt.
According to the paraprofessional’s account, the child repeatedly cried out that he could not breathe. Adkisson eventually released him and allegedly told him that he was not hurt before walking away.
The allegations have raised serious questions about how the classroom incident was handled and whether the child was protected from unnecessary physical force.
Child Describes Another Alleged Incident
Investigators also examined a separate encounter that reportedly happened earlier that day.
According to the arrest affidavit, Adkisson had allegedly picked up the boy after he skipped a line and carried him toward the back of the area.
When detectives later spoke with the child, he reportedly described another incident in which the teacher struck him on both sides of his stomach with closed fists.
The affidavit states that the boy remembered the earlier encounter but could not provide additional details about it.
Authorities have not publicly established every circumstance surrounding the alleged incidents. The charges reflect the allegations investigators believe are supported by the available evidence, and the case will proceed through the court system.
The involvement of a paraprofessional who reported concerns was significant because her account helped bring the matter to the attention of school administrators and law enforcement.
Sheriff’s Office Warns Against Abuse of Students
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly emphasized that children and their families must be able to trust the adults responsible for their care and education.
He acknowledged that teaching students with emotional or behavioral challenges can sometimes be demanding, but said that does not excuse inappropriate conduct.
The sheriff also cautioned against allowing the allegations involving one employee to overshadow the work of other educators who serve students professionally.
His statement underscored a basic expectation for school environments: staff members must respond to difficult situations calmly and use appropriate, safe methods when managing student behavior.
For children with special needs, maintaining a safe and supportive classroom environment can be especially important. Some students may have difficulty communicating distress, regulating emotions or responding to sudden changes. Staff members who work with these children are expected to follow appropriate behavioral support plans and school safety procedures.
Physical intervention, when permitted, generally needs to follow applicable training, policy and safety requirements. A disagreement over a classroom toy does not, by itself, justify the use of excessive force.
Teacher Placed on Administrative Leave
After the allegations came to light, Flagler County Schools confirmed that Adkisson had been placed on administrative leave.
His removal from classroom duties allows the school system to address the employment matter while the criminal case moves forward. The precise outcome of any internal review has not been established in the available information.
Adkisson was arrested at his home and transported to the Flagler County Jail. He later posted a $5,000 bond and declined to speak with detectives, according to the reported investigative records.
His next court appearance is scheduled for November 17.
The charges are allegations, and Adkisson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Why the Allegations Raise Broader Safety Concerns
The case has renewed attention to the safeguards schools use to protect young students, particularly those who require specialized educational and behavioral support.
Teachers and classroom aides are often responsible for managing conflicts, helping children regulate their emotions and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Those responsibilities can become more complex in classrooms serving students with additional needs, making appropriate training and clear intervention procedures especially important.
When a student becomes upset, trained staff may use established de-escalation strategies, such as offering space, redirecting attention, providing calm instructions or following an individualized behavior support plan. Any physical intervention must comply with applicable school policies and legal requirements.
Reporting systems also play an important role. Employees who witness potentially inappropriate conduct need clear procedures for raising concerns, while schools must take reports seriously and ensure that incidents are properly reviewed.
In this case, the paraprofessional’s report led to an investigation that included speaking with the child and documenting the alleged encounters.
The legal proceedings will determine how the evidence is evaluated and whether the charges can be proven.
For the child’s family and the wider school community, the allegations raise a fundamental concern: children should be able to attend school and receive support without fear of being harmed by the adults entrusted with their care.
