FL Teacher Accused Of Putting Child In Headlock Arrested: Reports

DELTONA, FL — A Florida teacher accused of putting a 3-year-old boy in a headlock with her legs while reading during storytime is facing child abuse charges, media reports say.

A Forest Lake Elementary paraeducator reported Volusia County teacher Vilma Otero, 59, to the Florida Department of Children and Families after hearing the boy screaming and crying, WFLA reported Wednesday, citing an arrest affidavit.

The paraeducator told authorities the boy was attempting to escape the chokehold, his face turning red in the process, the news outlet reported.

Authorities released a photo of the alleged incident, which appears to show a woman's legs on either side of a boy's neck as the boy lays on his back, as seen in the WFLA report. The woman is seemingly reading a book.

The boy, who was diagnosed with autism, told deputies he had gotten into trouble at school and Otero hurt him, WESH 2 reported.

Otero — a 36-year veteran teacher who was charged on suspicion of child abuse without great bodily harm and reportedly placed on administrative leave — denied the allegations, WESH 2 reported.

The Volusia County School District released this statement to WESH 2:

"Volusia County Schools is aware of the recent arrest of a Forest Lake Elementary teacher.
VCS is committed to the safety and well-being of all of our students and is taking this situation very seriously. As such, our Professional Standards department is currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the appropriate next steps. The teacher is currently on administrative leave."