Caroline Melanie Lee, a 60-year-old teacher awarded “Teacher of the Year” within Duval County Public Schools in Florida, has been charged with child abuse after allegedly hitting a student who criticized her Friday.
Lee appeared in court Saturday morning, according to News 4 Jax, and was released and told to not have contact with the student, being ordered not to return to Darnell-Cookman. She is being accused of hitting a female pupil in the face and causing her nose to bleed, according to a police report seen by the New York Post. She will return to court on Nov. 22.
The alleged incident took place after the teacher demanded the student come to her office for revealing on Instagram that Lee used the N-word in class. Lee later reportedly shared that she said the N-word aloud in class while reading John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
The girl did not go to Lee’s office because she was reportedly scared, with an affidavit revealing that Lee still walked into the student’s class and demanded she leave with her. The girl told investigators that when they were alone, Lee “reached across the table and struck her on her face with the heel of her palm.”
“Lee then began repeatedly calling her a ‘f—ing bitch’ as she landed several more strikes on the top of her head” and also “kicked her on her lower leg,” a report reads.
The girl reported the incident to the school’s guidance counselor, and Lee denied hitting the girl and “could not explain the bloody nose.”
“It is very disappointing, but I am compelled to share with you that one of our teachers was arrested today on campus for child abuse,” said principal Tyrus Lyles. “Even more disappointing, the teacher arrested is our recent teacher of the year nominee.”
Lee has been removed from the school and will not return “pending judicial and internal procedures,” according to the Florida Times-Union. Duval Schools Superintendent Diana Greene called the situation “beyond disturbing” in a later statement.
“What is alleged should never occur—ever—especially in a school setting,” she said. “I have no tolerance for adults who harm children, especially adults in a position of trust. We will cooperate with all investigations, and pending those results, we will take the actions necessary to stand up for and protect our students.”
