Elementary School Teacher Who Dragged, Straddled Student With Disabilities And Locked Her In Bathroom Is Arrested

August 28, 2024 Sharon Banks

A Florida elementary school teacher has been arrested and faces charges of child abuse and false imprisonment after being accused of mistreating a student with disabilities.

41-year-old Beatriz Rapisarda, was taken into custody following alleged incidents at Sunrise Elementary School in Palm Bay, a city located over 70 miles southeast of Orlando.

The police were called to the school on Thursday after reports surfaced of physical abuse involving a teacher and a student.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the abuse occurred in a classroom designated for intellectually disabled students. The student involved in the incident was described as low-functioning and only slightly verbal.

The trouble began when Rapisarda attempted to move the student from one area of the classroom to another, but the student refused.

In response, Rapisarda allegedly pushed the student twice, using both hands to shove the student in the chest. When the student resisted by throwing herself to the ground, Rapisarda is said to have grabbed her by the wrist and forcefully pulled her up, only for the student to collapse again.

Witnesses reported that Rapisarda then straddled the student, pinning her arms to the ground as she lay on her back. When the student eventually got up, the teacher grabbed her under the arms and dragged her toward the bathroom.

Witnesses claimed that Rapisarda uses the bathroom as a form of punishment, where she often locks the student inside by blocking the door with her foot so it cannot fully close.

During the incident, as Rapisarda dragged the student across the classroom—who was kicking and screaming—one of the student’s feet became caught on a shelf.

The teacher then grabbed the student’s ankle and wrist, using her knee to press the student’s back while holding down her arm. Witnesses said Rapisarda placed “all her weight” on the student.

When the student attempted to crawl away, Rapisarda dragged her to the bathroom by her wrists and held the door nearly shut while the student banged on it for up to 10 minutes.

The affidavit noted that the incident was so disturbing that one witness left the classroom to inform a supervisor. The document also detailed a prior incident earlier in the week, where Rapisarda wrapped the student in a foam mat “burrito-style” and held her in place for several minutes.

Witnesses described Rapisarda’s behavior as “unacceptable,” “aggressive” and “very controlling.” The student’s parents expressed their desire to pursue criminal charges against the teacher.

Brevard Public Schools has released a statement confirming its cooperation with the investigation and has placed Rapisarda on administrative leave.