BRADENTON, Florida — A sixth-grade teacher at Electa Lee Magnet Middle School was arrested Tuesday on a child abuse charge after authorities said she instructed a student to strike a classmate who wouldn’t stop talking.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reported that 64-year-old Judith Clark allegedly asked her classroom last Wednesday who wanted to volunteer to slap the talkative student. According to sheriff’s office spokesperson Randy Warren, when no students volunteered, Clark instructed two students to close the classroom window blinds and ordered another student to hit the classmate.
Witnesses informed deputies that a 12-year-old student complied with the directive, striking the victim across the face with an open hand. Investigators stated the student who executed the slap felt highly uncomfortable and feared facing disciplinary action from the teacher if he did not obey.
The School District of Manatee County confirmed that Clark has been employed with the district since 2019. Following the incident, district officials announced that her employment will not be renewed for the upcoming school year.
The incident took place at the school campus located on 53rd Avenue West in Bradenton, situated between Tamiami and El Conquistador Parkway. Law enforcement officials criticized the action, stating that Clark utilized her position of authority to intimidate students into committing an act of physical violence against another child.
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