LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
Police responded to calls reporting that a teacher’s assistant had become aggressive with a student last week, according to Howey-in-the-Hills police.
The incident occurred at Lake Hills Elementary School on May 6, police said.
Upon arrival, the school’s principal informed police that the student was non-verbal with autism. The principal also told police the incident was captured on school surveillance cameras.
According to police, the video of the incident showed multiple students walking in a hallway.
Mark McArthy, 60, could be seen escorting the victim while bending the victim’s arm backwards “in a manner that appeared uncomfortable and unreasonable,” according to the arrest report.
The video further showed McArthy pushing the victim against the wall multiple times and getting in the victim’s face, the report said. Another angle showed McArthy placing his hand over the victim’s mouth. At this time, another staff member intervened and escorted the victim away from the area.
When questioned by police, McArthy said the victim was “blowing air at him and spitting at him,” according to the arrest report.
McArthy is charged with battery, child abuse and resisting an officer without violence. He was transported to the Lake County jail without incident.
WESH 2 has reached out to the school for comment.
