A 71-year-old substitute teacher in Osceola County was arrested by police after he was accused of abusing an elementary school student inside a local classroom.
On Wednesday, April 30, Neptune Elementary School (1200 Betsy Ross Lane in St. Cloud) notified the St. Cloud Police Department and the Department of Children and Families of an alleged incident involving one of its substitute teachers, Kissimmee resident Casmore Shaw, according to SCPD.
The police department launched an investigation, which included interviews with Neptune Elementary staff and students in the class. Investigators determined that while inside a classroom, Shaw allegedly “grabbed a [male] student by the shirt collar” before throwing him into a wall as punishment.
No further details were provided by police.
Shaw was placed under arrest and transported to Osceola County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with child abuse (simple assault or battery).
“Student safety is, and will always be, one of our department’s most important concerns,” said St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke. “We have worked diligently with school administration and DCF to ensure a thorough investigation, making sure our students have the secure and nurturing environment they deserve.”
Following Shaw’s arrest, Osceola County Public Schools announced that he has been “immediately removed from classroom duties as a long-term substitute teacher” and is “no longer employed by the district.”