A Florida elementary school principal who was seen on camera paddling a 6-year-old student will not face any charges.
According to Wink News, investigators concluded that Central Elementary School Principal Melissa Carter did not commit any crime because the girl’s mother consented to the punishment.
The incident happened on April 13 after the child damaged a computer. The punishment was then was captured on video by the girl’s mother. The video shows principal Carter hitting the girl three times with a wooden paddle.
The following day, the girl’s mother took the footage to the police.
But Carter and a clerk at the school, Cecilia Self, reportedly told investigators that the student’s mother consented to the spanking. According to the report, teachers are only allowed to paddle students if a parent is present.
The girl’s mother initially told police she went to the school to observe the paddling but was “confused” due to a language barrier. The Clewiston Police Department attempted to speak to the parent again but was unable to reach her.
According to the States Attorney, “a parent has a right to use corporal punishment to discipline their children, and similarly has the right to consent that others do so on their behalf.” The memo also states, “it is clear using a paddle to spank a child is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm.” Under Florida law, spanking does not amount to child abuse.
