In connection with an investigation into child abuse at Progress Village Middle School, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office apprehended a vice principal and teacher.
HCSO publicly released a video dated January 18, 2024, depicting Bennie Leverett, a 39-year-old instructor, using a chokehold to a kid and then releasing the hold. Upon learning of the event, officials reported that Tashiska Fabian, the vice principal of the school, convened a meeting with Leverett and the kid. However, Fabian failed to notify the authorities about the occurrence.
As per HCSO, Fabian was also informed that another student had videotaped the incident and given direction to that student to remove the video. Although the footage was initially destroyed, detectives subsequently retrieved it.
On February 16, 2024, the HCSO and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) conducted an investigation at the school, resulting in the arrest of Leverett on March 14.
Following a thorough investigation, Fabian’s involvement in the incident was uncovered, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for her. Fabian was apprehended by HCSO on September 4th.