Description
A Hillsborough County teacher was arrested for shoving a 12-year-old student over a volleyball mishap, according to the sheriff's office.
It happened on Dec. 18 at Jennings Middle School in Seffner.
Detectives say a 12-year-old girl was playing with a volleyball and kicked it, accidentally hitting her teacher, 34-year-old John Steele, in the chin.
In response, Steele reportedly began yelling at the student before placing his foot behind her and shoving her onto her back. Steele then leaned over the girl and continued to yell, according to the sheriff's office.
The girl did not have any visible injuries but reported back pain.
Steele was arrested on Dec. 23 and charged with child abuse.
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/crime/hillsborough-county-teacher-arrested-child-abuse/67-121215da-4034-47aa-8357-fbcd3c77db5c