Teacher Pins 3-Year-Old Autistic Boy with Her Legs While Choking Him Until His Eyes Turn Red: Police

August 30, 2024 Sharon Banks

A Florida teacher, Vilma Otero, 59, was arrested and charged with child abuse after allegedly assaulting a 3-year-old autistic boy by putting him in a chokehold during story time at Forest Lake Elementary School in Deltona.

The incident, which took place last Friday, was reported by a paraeducator who witnessed the abuse and contacted the Department of Children and Families, leading to the involvement of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the arrest affidavit, the paraeducator was preparing for the next classroom activity while Otero read a book to the students. The witness heard a student cry out in pain and turned around to see Otero sitting in a chair, holding the boy between her legs in a chokehold.

The affidavit describes the child as being in visible distress, with his face turning red as he cried and screamed, trying to free himself from Otero’s grasp.

The witness immediately took out her phone and captured photos of the incident, which she later provided to the deputies as evidence.

Otero’s attorney, Richard Zaleski, defended his client in a statement, calling the allegations “absurd” and asserting that the photos were taken out of context. He emphasized Otero’s long-standing commitment to the community and urged the public to respect the legal process, asking for the benefit of the doubt to be given to Otero.

The following day, detectives met with the boy and his family. The boy’s relatives reported that he seemed to be in a good mood and playful when he returned home from school on the day of the incident.

However, deputies observed redness on his neck. The boy mentioned that he “got in trouble at school” and that “she hurt me,” but he was unable to provide further details.

During an interview with deputies, Otero stated that she had over 35 years of experience, primarily with special education students. She explained that the recommended approach for handling students with behavioral issues is to move them to a different room to allow them to calm down.

When confronted with the allegations, Otero initially denied restraining the boy. However, when presented with the photos showing her pinning him on the floor, she continued to deny acting in the manner described but acknowledged that physically restraining special needs children in that way would be wrong.

Otero was subsequently taken into custody on the child abuse charge but has since been released on bond. She pleaded not guilty, and her next court appearance is scheduled for September 19.

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The Volusia County School District has placed Otero on administrative leave while conducting its own investigation into the incident.