A substitute teacher in Florida is in hot water after authorities allege she attempted to incite a confrontation between feuding students.
A revelation emerged during a parent conference on Wednesday morning at LaBelle Middle School, according to a Facebook post from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. A parent presented a video to the school resource officer, capturing a verbal confrontation that occurred in class the previous day, where 20-year-old Ty’Asia Holmes served as the substitute teacher.
In the footage, Holmes is seen intervening to protect a student who is facing harassment from another individual, according to law enforcement officials. Holmes reportedly instructs the feuding students to cease their dispute and take it to the “park.” A segment of footage depicting a confrontation among students was aired by the local Fox affiliate WFTX. The footage revealed students struggling, resulting in a desk being sent airborne after a collision.
Authorities reported that while no physical altercations occurred, the behaviour exhibited was characterised by intimidation and a sense of physical menace. The substitute was reportedly heard encouraging and provoking the other students to engage in a fight.
“As a result of the video, Holmes was later found to have conspired with the students and facilitated the opportunity for this altercation to occur,” deputies wrote.
According to deputies, Holmes and the students were heard using inappropriate language in the video. She faces allegations of two counts of child neglect and eight counts related to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. After a night behind bars, she secured her release by posting a bond of $35,000.
“I am disgusted and appalled at the behavior of this substitute teacher,” said Sheriff Steve Whidden. “Schools should be a safe place for children and staff.”
Mike Swindle, the superintendent of Hendry County School District, informed WFTX that Holmes has been terminated and added to the district’s “do not hire” list.
“One blemish like this is painful to us,” he said. “We don’t like it, but it happened and we’re gonna deal with it, get better from it and move forward.”