A Florida staff member has been placed on administrative leave after she was caught calling kids “half-breeds” and “retards.”
A video captured exceptional student education specialist Patricia Schmidt berating a woman and her children. According to the New York Post, the woman works at Lely Elementary School in Collier County. The incident occurred outside of school while a mother was walking down the street with her kids in East Naples’ King’s Lake neighborhood.
“Your son must be special ed. He’s a retard. Your son is a retard,” the woman can be heard saying in a recorded video. “You can’t afford to live in Kings Lake. You are white trash,” Schmidt continued.
While the Colliers County Office says Schmidt did not commit a crime, she says she’s concerned for the children Schmidt oversees in school. “Who knows how she’s treating [children] in the classroom when their parents aren’t there to defend them?” the mother said. According to Schmidt’s neighbors, this isn’t the first time she’s exhibited violent behavior.
“I can guarantee you that’s not the first mother and children she’s done that to. I’ve seen her do it to people. I’ve seen her yell at people, I don’t know how many times,” said John Courtright.
In a statement, Collier County School District told the New York Post: “We are aware of the video, and the incident is currently under review. Patricia Schmidt will be on administrative leave and assigned to the Administrative Center until the conclusion of the investigation.”
