Middle School Girl Attacked Teacher, Deputy Over Cellphone: Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — A 12-year-old girl faces criminal charges after the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says she attacked a teacher and a resource officer because her cellphone had been taken away from her.

According to the sheriff’s office, teacher Molly Westbrook was disciplining the girl around 1:25 p.m. Oct. 24 for having her cellphone out in class. The girl put the cellphone on the ground and Westbrook tried to pick it up and take it from her, an email from the sheriff’s office said. When Westbrook reached for the phone, the girl is accused of becoming “physically violent by grabbing Westbrook’s arms and digging her fingerlnails into her hand.” The girl tried to take the cellphone back, the email added.

The girl was reportedly calmed down and then brought to the office.

At that point, Deputy Howard Claar began conducting an investigation into the incident, the email said. When cause for an arrest was established, Claar placed his hand on the girl’s arm and told her to put her hands behind her back because she was under arrest.

The girl is accused of pulling her arm away and physically resisting Claar “by kicking him in both legs, ankles and stomping on his feet,” the email said.

The girl was charged with battery on a school board employee, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. Patch is not releasing her name due to her age.

Westbrook suffered minor injuries, deputies say. Claar was treated at Manatee Memorial Hospital for a sprained ankle.

No further information is available at this time.

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