2 Childcare Workers Accused Of Abusing 8-year-old Autistic Boy Booked Into Polk County Jail: Police

WINTER HAVEN,FL - Two childcare workers seen on a Snapchat video taunting and abusing an 8-year-old autistic boy have been booked into the Polk County Jail after turning themselves in, Winter Haven police said Friday morning. The workers were identified as Kaderrica Smith of Haines City and Alexus Henderson of Dundee. They are accused of taunting and throwing a backpack at the boy.

Henderson, who was charged with child neglect, has bonded out. Smith, who faces
charges of child abuse and battery, is being held without bond. Smith will have her first appearance Friday.

Winter Haven police say they were alerted Sept. 1 to a Snapchat video that it says showed Smith and Henderson taunting and tripping a student at Our Children’s Academy in Winter Haven, the Lakeland Ledger reported.

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Police reported that the video, which lasts about 3 minutes, shows the boy crying and hiding underneath a table while Henderson and Smith taunt him. The boy then attempts to run toward one of the workers, who grabs his arms, causing him to fall on his back, the Ledger reported. One of the workers is seen throwing a backpack at the child, hitting him in the face, police reported.

Read the full story in the Lakeland Ledger.

Patch.com file photo; 2nd photo: Alexus Henderson, left, and Kaderrica Smith via Winter Haven Police Department.