A preschool teacher in Volusia County is behind bars after she was allegedly captured on video surveillance footage abusing one of her students in the classroom.
On Monday, July 7, Orange City Police Department officers responded to Emmaus Lutheran Preschool (2500 S Volusia Avenue in Orange City) in reference to allegations of child abuse involving a teacher, identified as 58-year-old Zayda Bayala.
According to OCPD, a 3-year-old female student had disclosed to her mother that her teacher, Bayala, had “pulled her hair” on Friday, June 27. The mother initially did not report the incident to law enforcement, but she “grew increasingly concerned” after her daughter described Bayala as “mean” and expressed fear about returning to school the following week.
When the child’s mother spoke with the director of the preschool, video surveillance footage of the incident in Bayala’s classroom was obtained. OCPD stated that the footage allegedly showed Bayala “aggressively approach(ing) the child, grabb(ing) her by the arm on two separate occasions, and later pull(ing) her by the hair, causing her to fall forward.”
The preschool notified the Florida Department of Children and Families, and Bayala was relieved of her duties while a formal investigation into the incident was launched.
On the preschool’s surveillance footage, OCPD officers allegedly saw the student attempt to move away from Bayala before she “forcefully grabbed (the student) by the right bicep.” Bayala was also allegedly observed pulling the student’s hair, which brought the student to the ground.
During the incident, the student “appeared to be visibly distressed,” according to police.
A warrant was issued for Bayala’s arrest, and she was taken into custody and booked into Volusia County Jail on Friday, July 11. She is currently being held at the jail without bond, and she is being charged with child abuse without causing great bodily harm.
“This remains an active investigation,” sated OCPD in a media release.