JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A substitute teacher at Landmark Middle School was arrested Wednesday on a charge of child abuse, according to Duval County Public Schools.
Justin Crisp, 54, has since bonded out of the Duval County jail.
On Wednesday, the principal of Landmark sent a message to families about the arrest. In the message, the principal said the substitute “allegedly engaged in an altercation with a student,” and there was enough evidence for school police to arrest the substitute on a charge of child abuse.
News4Jax spoke with the mother of the student on Wednesday evening. She was upset about the incident but was grateful the substitute was arrested.
She also said she was told by police the altercation was captured on surveillance.
In Crisp’s arrest report, an officer gives a play-by-play of what happened. The report shows the student told police that Crisp was “talking rude for no reason,” so he told him to shut up. He said Crisp told him to leave the classroom, they were cussing at each other and then Crisp pushed him, according to the report.
The report states Crisp took the student to the ground and, at one point, had his arm around the student’s throat. Eventually, staff showed up to break it up.
Other parents were unsettled by the situation.
“There is never a reason you should put your hand on a child,” said parent Krysta Ellison.
According to the message from the principal, the substitute will not be allowed to teach again at any Duval County public school.
“While I remind you that one is innocent until proven guilty, I want to let you know that we have very high standards for our conduct as educators, and we will take appropriate action when necessary, as it was today. This substitute will not be allowed to teach again in our school or any of our Duval County Public Schools,” the message reads.
The principal encouraged parents to reach out if they have concerns.