School staff member arrested for alleged child abuse at W.E. Cherry

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — An elementary school staff member has been arrested following allegations of child abuse against a student.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office stated that an investigation was launched after a report by the principal of W.E. Cherry Elementary alleged the assault by Exceptional Student Education (ESE) behavioral assistant Pearl Gyamera.

The principal told police that on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 26, the student was working with their speech therapist when they began kicking their legs, according to a press release. CCSO says Gyamera was tasked with calming the student down.

During Gyameras intervention, the student had allegedly kicked her, police said. Following this, police say that Gyamera kicked the student back three times, asking how it felt and if it hurt him.

Police say that the student did not suffer from any injuries.

Following her arrest, Gyamera was placed on administrative leave by the Clay County School District. She had been employed by the district since Aug. 2016.

First Coast News has reached out to the school district for a statement. We are waiting to hear back.