A 41-year-old teacher at Sunrise Elementary School in Palm Bay is currently in custody following her arrest on charges of child abuse without great bodily harm and false imprisonment of a child under 13. She is being held in jail as of Friday.
Beatriz Rapisarda was taken into custody on Thursday after a thorough investigation into allegations concerning a student in the intellectually disabled classroom, according to a statement from Palm Bay police.
According to the police, Rapisarda was apprehended at the school after an investigation revealed that they had forcefully pushed and restrained the student by grabbing their wrists.
According to an arrest affidavit, the student involved in the incident has been described as “low-functioning and non-verbal.” The classroom where the incident occurred consisted of various stations and had a total of 13 students, ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade.
According to the affidavit, three registered behavioral technicians who were not employed by the school system, along with a teaching assistant, witnessed Rapisarda’s actions. According to witnesses, the teacher allegedly attempted to move the student from one area to another. When the student refused, Rapisarda reportedly pushed her at least twice, using open palms against her chest.
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During the incident, authorities reported that the teacher positioned herself on top of the student, who was lying on her back, and restrained the student’s arms. According to witnesses, the teacher intervened when the student stood up, physically guiding her to the bathroom. The student stayed there for about eight to ten minutes, while the teacher held the door mostly closed and the student tried to get out.
According to witnesses, Rapisarda has been known to use the bathroom as a means of punishment, and it appears that this particular student has been subjected to this punishment in the past. Witnesses described the incident as highly disturbing, prompting one of them to leave the classroom and inform a supervisor.
Additionally, the affidavit provided further information about another incident that occurred between the teacher and student earlier in the week. As a result, the teacher proceeded to securely wrap the student, who was standing, in a Styrofoam mat, resembling a burrito, and maintained this position by embracing the mat with her arms for a duration of five to seven minutes.
According to the police report, the parents of the student expressed their intention to pursue legal action.
Rapisarda is currently being held in the Brevard County Jail in Sharpes, with a bond of $10,000 for the two charges.
