She thought the student had called her a profane name, Hillsborough deputies said.

RIVERVIEW – A middle school teacher was arrested Friday (May 17) after she was accused of slapping a student across the face during class, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Shelia Marie Vakili, 63, of Temple Terrace, was charged with one count of Child Abuse.

“The safety of our Hillsborough County students is something we take very seriously,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “A teacher is supposed to be a role model to the young people in their classrooms and set an example for how to behave, even at a time of frustration. It is never acceptable for a teacher to become physically violent with a student.”

Deputies said they were called to Giunta Middle School, 4202 S Falkenburg Road, in Riverview just before noon after a 13-year-old male student reported that his teacher struck him in the face during class.

Deputies interviewed the boy and other students who were in the classroom at the time of the incident. They said the students’ stories were consistent in saying that the boy made a profane comment during class. Vakili heard the comment and believed the boy called her a profane name, deputies said. According to the students, Vakili smacked the boy in his face with enough force to cause redness and swelling.

The student’s parents were called to the school. Vakili refused to be interviewed by deputies on the advice of her attorney and a representative from a teachers union.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Crime | Child Abuse | Arrests | Tampabay News

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