Teacher’s assistant in Florida arrested for beating student
17 october 2026 в 09:50
A teacher’s aide, Michael Anthony Jones, has been arrested in Florida for allegedly being caught on video using his shoe to beat a student with special needs. The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 14, at East Ridge High School, where Jones was taken into custody and charged with child abuse and simple battery.
According to a document obtained by Law & Crime, the incident was recorded both on the school’s surveillance cameras and on video taken by a student. Authorities learned of the incident when a student approached a Lake County sheriff’s deputy who was on campus and showed him the video, which allegedly showed Jones involved in a physical altercation with the student.
The assistant principal also provided footage from the cameras showing Jones and the student heading toward a door in the gym. Shortly after, the student fell, and the video shows Jones approaching him while he is on the ground and beginning to strike him with his shoe. The document states that Jones hit the student approximately four times, including on the head and arm, and then dragged him across the floor.
After the incident, Jones testified that the student had insulted him by using the word «gay», - and that he «without a doubt» took off his shoe and spanked the student with it. He admitted that he may have touched the student but denied striking him with his fists or pushing him.
Jones was booked into the Lake County Jail but was soon released after posting bail set at $ 11,000. It is currently unclear whether he has entered a plea or hired an attorney following his arrest.
According to a document obtained by Law & Crime, the incident was recorded both on the school’s surveillance cameras and on video taken by a student. Authorities learned of the incident when a student approached a Lake County sheriff’s deputy who was on campus and showed him the video, which allegedly showed Jones involved in a physical altercation with the student.
The assistant principal also provided footage from the cameras showing Jones and the student heading toward a door in the gym. Shortly after, the student fell, and the video shows Jones approaching him while he is on the ground and beginning to strike him with his shoe. The document states that Jones hit the student approximately four times, including on the head and arm, and then dragged him across the floor.
After the incident, Jones testified that the student had insulted him by using the word «gay», - and that he «without a doubt» took off his shoe and spanked the student with it. He admitted that he may have touched the student but denied striking him with his fists or pushing him.
Jones was booked into the Lake County Jail but was soon released after posting bail set at $ 11,000. It is currently unclear whether he has entered a plea or hired an attorney following his arrest.
© Smirnova Olga
