Child Punched In Head By Dunedin Preschool Teacher: Sheriff

DUNEDIN, FL — A Dunedin preschool teacher has been charged with felony child abuse after being accused of repeatedly punching a 4-year-old child in the head while on the preschool playground, authorities said.

At 12:52 p.m. Wednesday, Pinellas County sheriff's deputies arrested Ashley Richards, 32, of the 1200 block of Belcher Road in Dunedin after receiving a report of child abuse in progress, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

Richards was a preschool teacher at Kindercare Learning Center, 1990 Main St. in Dunedin.

According to a news release from the sheriff's office, a witness overheard screaming coming from the playground and went to investigate. The witness told deputies Richards was yelling at the 4-year-old and "repeatedly punching the child with both an open and closed fist to the back and side of the head."

Richards was also seen pushing the child to the ground and yelling, "Do you want me to hit you?" deputies said. The witness shot video of the incident on a cell phone.

Richards has worked as a preschool teacher at Kindercare Learning Center since March 2021. She's been placed on administrative leave after being charged with one count of felony child abuse, said the sheriff. She's been released from jail on a $5,000 bond.