In Manatee County, a sixth-grade teacher at Lee Middle School is accused of taking classroom discipline too far. According to investigators, a student wouldn't stop talking, so the teacher allegedly asked the class, "Who wants to slap him?" What happened next reportedly turned that disturbing question into reality. The teacher allegedly had students close the blinds before telling another student to slap the boy. Now, detectives are investigating what really happened inside that classroom. >> So, she was in the school last week and there was a kid She's a sixth-grade teacher at Lee Middle and there was a kid that was talking, so she told him to shut up and of course, like most kids, 10 minutes later he's talking again. So, she asked the class, "Who wants to slap?" >> Oh god. >> So, the whole class raised their hand thinking it was a joke. She had two kids go close the blinds and told this kid, Grayson, "Okay, you get up and slap." And he got up and slapped. I'm in trouble. >> Deserve it? Maybe, but it's still not something you can do. It's just not something you can do. >> I'm so confused. >> DCF is the first person I talked to about this incident. >> Yes. >> And he said that it was an allegation that Ms. Clark said, "Hey, who wants to slap?" And somebody got up and slapped. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. So, yeah. I mean, that that right there I would need to get involved in because it's If I'm not mistaken, um aiding to the delinquency of a minor, stuff like that. Like, basically, you're you're encouraging a child to commit a crime. >> A crime? >> Yeah, slapping another kid. Yes, it's a battery. If I You know what I'm You know what I'm saying? If I went up and slapped you, that would be an issue, in or out of uniform. You know what I'm saying? >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> So, yeah, that's what we're dealing with. Um is she supposed to come back tomorrow or not? >> No, that's what I'm telling you. The school district >> No, it's fine. The thing is, MSO was going to get involved in this regardless. I'm the SRO here, so I'm involved in it because she came. >> Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? If he had met with her at the house, it would be a totally different story, but he came here to meet with her, so DCF. >> Oh. >> Yeah, DCF >> Oh, I didn't know what was going on. >> Yeah, DCF is here. >> That's DCF? >> Yeah, DCF is in the office right now. I was in them when you called me. >> Okay. >> Yeah, so I got to >> They told me the wrong thing. >> Okay, so I got to knock this out of the way. Mhm, and we have the son. >> Okay. >> Or the kid who got slapped. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, Troy came, and Troy met with her. >> Met with who? Clark? Okay. >> And Troy gave sent a letter, and he moved her off campus. >> Got it. >> And then he said to let him know if DCF came, >> Okay. >> and then he would let you know. So, that's what I was waiting, but DCF >> Yeah, he's got he's got that. Yeah, he's got that back. Although, you guys are going to do your investigation, when it's something like that, then I got to know. >> Okay. >> Honestly, I would probably put in the DCF report, cuz the way that they had it set up is if it's something involving a teacher, they want our detectives to come out and speak with the teacher. >> Okay. >> But, this >> But, that that's not that wasn't that wasn't >> No, it's It's it's all good. >> I just wanted to make sure, cuz I I know you want to be in the loop, but >> Yeah, no, it's Yeah, it's fine. You deal with you deal with what they told you to do, so yeah. >> Can you take me through that? What happened? What was going on? >> So, I got to class, and I sat down. >> Okay. >> A few minutes later, I started like 20 minutes later, I started talking with the person next to me. >> Okay. >> And she um cuz she had cheated >> she? >> Yeah. >> Who was she? >> The teacher. >> Okay, what's her name? >> Miss Clark. >> Miss Clark. Okay. >> She had came up to to my table and said, "Anthony, be quiet." So, I stayed quiet for like 5 to 10 minutes. >> Okay. >> Then I got distracted and I started talking to the the the table across from me cuz I was sitting in the middle table and there was a table next to me. >> Was it anybody in particular in that table you were talking to or just the whole table? >> Yes, like the table in general. >> Okay. >> And um then she had came she had came and said, "Be quiet." >> [music] >> And then >> Okay. >> And then the phone had rang cuz somebody had called her. And so and then she had came back and she said, "Oh, who wants to slap?" And then um people raised their hand, but then she left it like that for like 5 minutes. Then she came back and she said, "Oh, who wants to slap?" And then um my friend had raised his hand cuz he thought he was it was like a joke. And but then she had said, "Oh, she had told these two kids she had told Brendan and I forgot his other name, but and they they had they had closed each blind cuz there was two blinds. >> So, Miss is it Miss Clark, right? >> Miss Clark. >> Miss Clark told those two kids to go close the blinds. Okay, so they went and closed the blinds. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> And and then she she told Grayson to get up and slap me. >> And who was Grayson? Just another kid in the class? >> Just another kid in the class. >> So, it wasn't the friend that raised his hand. >> That that's that Yeah, that's the friend that raised his hand. >> Okay. Okay. And did Grayson slap you hard? Or being your friend, he didn't slap you too bad. >> Like not too bad, but like in between, not that hard. >> Okay. Um do you talk a lot in class? >> Sometimes. >> Sometimes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Does she have to get on you often to tell you that to stop talking? >> No, she gets on me often for different reasons. >> Okay. For what? >> Um talking or sometimes I I'd be getting I get up to do something or whatever she'd be yelling at me. >> Okay. So, you don't like to just sit there and then just just sit there and be quiet like that. >> I'm just I don't know. I just don't >> The hyper [clears throat] one. Have some energy you need to get out. Okay. Have you disrupted the class a lot? I mean to where the other students >> No. >> You think you're disrupting and just distracting them from learning? >> If I'm talking, I'm talking like low with my table. >> Okay. All right. All right, I think that's all we need from you. Thank you very much for coming down. Hey Grayson, just want to let you know you're not in any trouble, okay? >> Okay. >> I'm Detective Renigar, Detective Morland, CPI. >> Daniel Rosa. >> And I take it you are in the sixth grade, correct? >> Mhm. >> So, Grayson, I am under the understanding that something occurred in Ms. Clark's room a couple of days ago. >> Mhm. >> Can you take us through that and just tell us what happened? >> So, like I think like in the middle way of class, uh this a student he was um talking and Ms. Clark was like um oh oh I'm going to get someone to slap you. Who wants to slap him? And my kids just started raising their hand, but we were like all laughing about it. Like it wasn't a joke in a way. Everyone was having fun kind of. >> Everybody thought it was a >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> And then and then I raised my hand too cuz like like five of the kids did. So, and Ms. Clark was like um oh Grayson come come come slap him. And so, I was following to you know, teacher's instructions. Um and I got up and I I I I slapped him, but I I gave him like a light hit. Like Like I would say it's like it's like that. >> Right. >> Um and he was my friend so we were good about it and we were we laughed about it and the class was good. I was like easy about it cuz like I thought she'd write me a referral and I'd get in trouble for it but no. And then and then yeah, that's what happened. >> So how many times did she ask in class if someone wants to slap? >> Um twice. >> Twice? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Did she ask any students to close the blinds? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And did you feel like getting Okay. She's wanting the blinds closed cuz she didn't want anybody from the outside to see what was going on. >> Yes. She like before I before I did it she was like close the blinds, close the blinds. >> Okay. Um Was he okay after you slapped him? He didn't yell or anything? >> no. Not even a little. >> Okay. How was he with you? Was he okay with you? >> Yeah, he's perfectly fine. >> Okay. Good. Good. Um how would you What is Ms. Clark like? >> Am I supposed to be truthful? >> Mhm. >> Um She's rude. She yells a lot like every single day. She laughs sometimes and she's nice to the class. And like whenever someone talks she yells at them and she's like stop talking, stop talking. And yeah, she just like she yells a lot and like rude person but she acts like different like let's say um what's it called? People from the district came. Um she would like start acting like sweet and like she One time this student Ariani she she had like a raspy voice cuz she lost her voice and Ms. Clark was yelling at her and then uh another teacher Mr. Thompson came in and and then she just like instead of yelling she just started telling her stop talking, stop talking. Cuz like but before he came in she was yelling. >> Yelling? >> Mhm. >> Yeah, how talk a lot >> And yeah, E- I don't even want to be rude about it. He's a talker. >> Is he a talker? Um, is it loud? Is he like disruptive to the class or is he just talk around his table? >> He He Yeah, he has a loud voice. >> He has a loud voice. >> Yeah. >> So, I take it he gets in trouble a lot for talking in the class. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Do you have more than one class with him or just that? >> Um, I have fifth, sixth, and seventh. >> Is he like that in all of his classes? >> Um, sixth period he's he's quiet he's mostly quiet there. Fifth period he's like that and seventh period he's like that. >> Why is he quiet in sixth? >> I don't know. I think it's like because like it's like normally it's a quiet class cuz like we're on computers all the time. And like we got to do work on a computer and everyone's just quiet and focusing. So, I think that's why he's quiet like the environment. >> Okay. Okay. Um, has Ms. Clark, since you've been going to school this year with her this year, has she ever asked anybody else to get slapped in her class? >> Mhm. Not that I know of. >> Okay. So, this is the first time that you've ever witnessed her doing anything like this. Okay. All right. Anything? Daniel? Good. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you. And you are? >> Brendan. >> Who? >> Brendan. >> Brendan? Can you take me through that situation and tell me what happened? >> Okay. So, once we got in there, I don't know if she was mad, but once we first got in there she was like tell us to stop talking and just do our work. And then this boy >> you said she tells us. Is that the whole class >> Yeah, she tells the whole class. >> Okay. >> And then that's when some people were just talking and then like she was getting frustrated. And then this he just kept talking. So, she asked like she asked the whole class. And then me, I thought it was a joke. So, she asked the whole class like who wants to slap him or whatever. And then that's when she asked again like who wants to slap him. And then that's when she made me and this other boy, I think Gianni, she made she made us close the blinds and then she I mean she made this boy Grayson slap >> Okay. Um Talk a lot in class? >> Uh-huh. >> Is it loud disrupting to the whole class or is he just talking to his table or >> he just talks to his table. >> Okay. So do you sit at his table? >> Mm-mm. >> Do you hear him? Does it disrupt you from doing your work >> No, not really. >> being at another table? Okay. Does he get in trouble a lot? >> Um no. >> And um what about Ms. Clark? How is she as a teacher? >> Um she's okay. It's like when you really just talk so loud like she gets mad. >> Okay. Did she seem mad this time? >> Uh-huh. >> With this? >> Yeah, [snorts] cuz she like she never had asked anyone to slap someone. >> Okay. But she asked you to go close the blinds first. So you wouldn't close the blinds and then another kid got up and slapped Anthony. >> Uh-huh. >> What did you do after the slap? Did you open the blinds back up or >> No, she she didn't tell me to open them back up. >> Okay. So did did they stay closed the rest of the class? And what happened with Anthony after that? >> Um So the next day cuz I have third and second with him. So in our third period class uh they were talking about like just Ms. Clark in general and then that's when it got brought up like how he got slapped. And then that's when our third period teacher told him to tell Ms. McDonald. And then um him and this this boy went up there and filled out and filled out a statement and then I got called on third fourth period to fill out a statement. >> Okay. How about the rest of that day? Did Anthony continue talking after he got slapped or he stopped >> No, cuz Ms. Clark wasn't there. >> Cuz of what? >> Ms. Clark wasn't there. We had a sub. >> No, I mean uh but Tuesday, the day that Anthony got slapped. >> Oh, no. >> After he got slapped, did he continue to talk or did he just >> No, he stopped talking. >> Okay, how long do you all stay in a class? >> From like 3:30 to 4:00 4:05 or 2:00. >> Okay. All right, got anything? >> What was the classes reaction to the slap? >> They didn't really do anything. They got like really silent. >> What was your reaction to that? >> Um >> Were you surprised that that happened? >> Yeah. >> Never had any other teacher act like that or ask for anything like that, you know? Okay. >> And um did Grayson volunteer or did the teacher point him out of the group? >> Yeah, it was like every a couple people raised their hand like as a joke and then she actually made Grayson get up. >> Okay. Now you said made, did she do anything to make him get up? >> was like, Grayson get up and do it. >> Okay, so she specifically asked for him to get up and slap him. >> Where was she standing during the whole thing? >> She was standing near a music stand. >> All right, music stand? >> Mhm. >> Okay. All right. Good. All right, thank you very much. >> This is it. >> Amy. So take me through what you think you know it is. >> Mhm, um she told another student to slap another student. >> So did you actually hear her say >> Yes, and the student did actually. >> Okay. Did the student that slapped the other student get in trouble at all? >> I don't know, mister. >> Uh did >> I've seen him yesterday. >> Yes, I should say did Miss Clark discipline the student that slapped the other student? >> No, not at all. >> Not at all. Okay, do you know the student who got slapped? >> Grayson, Braden James. >> He's the one that got slapped? >> No, the one that did the slap. >> Okay, it's Grayson. >> Mhm. >> And what about the person that got slapped? Okay, um so What happened in this? I mean it was what what made her what do you think? >> I mean I doing my work, wasn't paying much attention to that, but I think wasn't doing his work or any something, and Ms. Clark was holding him like this, and they she told on the student that slapped um Danny right, which was Grayson. Grayson slapped Danny right, and that's it. I was like What's going on? >> You said Ms. Clark was holding >> Yeah, like the seat, like mhm. >> So, I mean his seat or touching him? >> Like his seat and him, like stay still, like she was saying that. >> Was she standing behind him? >> Yeah. >> Where did she have her hands at? >> Shoulders. >> On shoulders? Okay. Did um she ask anybody to close the blinds before the slap? >> Um she only closes them at the end of the day. >> Okay. So, from what you remember, the blinds remained open? Okay. >> Actually, no, they were closed, yeah. Sorry. >> closed? >> Mhm. >> Okay. And what kind of teacher is Ms. Clark? >> Um I don't like her personally at all. >> Okay. Is she mean or just >> I just think she's strict. >> Okay, she's strict, okay. Does Danny talk a lot in class? >> No. He gets in trouble, like I mean, he's a troublemaker, but like he's not like mean or anything to the teacher, disrespectful. >> Okay. Um do you sit at his table? >> No. I sit in the back of the classroom, but for the remainder of that period yesterday, I sat with Bella, Carter, and Emily. >> Okay. >> Cuz I couldn't see from the back of the class. >> Does he disturb the whole class? Does he disturb you doing your work or >> No. >> No, just talks. He doesn't doesn't Okay. >> Just talks. >> Okay. >> And teacher just hates it. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> All right. Good. Good. All right. Thank you very much. What grade are you in, Jenny? >> Sixth grade. >> Sixth grade. Can you take me through what that was, what happened. >> So, uh a student was talking. >> Do you know which student that was? >> Yeah. >> He was talking? >> And um Ms. Clark got angry, so she told another student to slap him. >> Okay. Who did she tell to slap him? >> Uh a person named Grayson. >> Person named Grayson? And did you do anything? Did you have any part in that? >> No. My brother did. She told someone to close the blinds, and he did. I was like He told someone to She [clears throat] told someone to both close the blinds, and he did. And then she told Grayson to get up and slap him. >> Okay. So, which was talking? Was he disrupting the whole class? Was it Was it >> It was like that last >> he yelling and screaming? >> No, like a tabletop, like not like little whispers. >> Okay, so he wasn't talking loud, wasn't disturbing the whole class. It was He was just talking at his table. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Did Ms. Clark seem angry? >> Uh yeah, she told him multiple times not to talk, and he kept on talking. >> Kept on talking? So, how many times did she ask if anybody wanted to slap him? >> Um two times. The first time she asked anyone, and then she asked it again, and we started raising our hands. I think when Grayson raised his hand, but I'm pretty sure more people did. >> Okay. So, and what What did you do during all this? >> I was just watching. >> You were just watching, sitting at your table watching? >> Mhm. >> Is he Does he cause a lot of problems in class or >> Uh he talks a lot. >> Does he talk a lot? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um Has anything like this ever happened before with Ms. Clark? Has she ever asked anyone? How would you How is Ms. Clark as a teacher? >> Um she is uh a really strict teacher. >> Okay. >> Like uh doesn't allow anyone to talk, when someone is doing their work. >> Okay. >> Sign their rule card if they're not doing any work, talking, or Yeah, talking and not doing their work. >> Have you ever gotten in trouble in this clerk's class? >> No. >> So, you're a good student? You don't get in trouble? Okay. >> I got in trouble once by talking, but she didn't sign my rule card. >> Okay. Okay, does Does a lot of people in her class get in trouble? >> Uh a few. >> Okay. I think he must stop. I had his card signed several times because he likes to talk. Okay. You got anything? No? >> No. >> All right, that's all we need. Thank you. All right, Adrian. Just want to let you know you're not in any trouble, okay? >> Mhm. >> Can you take us through and explain that incident to us? >> So, it was in class. They were still on like an assignment, but someone kept talking. He kept talking, and then Miss Clark she she said, "Do anybody want to slap him, right?" And then someone raised their hand, but he slapped him then. I think he was going to be told about it. >> Okay. >> So, >> So, he was in Miss Clark's class talking a lot. Miss Clark said to the whole class, "Does anybody want to slap him?" A lot of people raised their hands. >> Yeah. >> He did. Okay. Did um Did Miss Clark ask anybody to go close the blinds during this time? >> Yeah. >> Okay, so the blinds were closed. >> Mhm. >> And that's so nobody outside could see in. >> Yeah. >> And um do you know who slapped >> Um Grayson. >> Grayson slapped Okay, but he only did it because Miss Clark told him to. >> Yes. >> Okay. Does he talk a lot in class? >> Mhm. >> He does? He likes to talk? Yeah, you know some kids like to talk. How about you? >> Mhm, sometimes. >> Okay, do you sit around his table, or do you sit at another table? >> I sit at another table. >> Does he ever disturb you with his talking? >> No, we're friends. >> Okay. >> So. >> All right. >> Did you think Miss Clark was joking when she said this? >> Yeah. >> What was your reaction when he actually got slapped? >> I was kind of shocked. >> Okay. How was Miss Clark as a teacher? How's she been this year? >> Very very aggressive. >> Okay. >> Like not like she was kind like mean. She um signed some people's fault card for like talking. And one time when she almost um wrote on mine cuz I asked someone for a pencil. >> Okay. So a really strict teacher. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> When you say aggressive, you mean verbally aggressive? >> No, like I meant to say I was trying to say what he said, but >> Strict strict. >> Yeah, strict. >> So she's very don't let anybody talk. >> Yes. >> Okay. Has she ever asked anybody else to be slapped in her class? >> No. >> Okay. This was the first time. >> Mhm. >> What did the class do after this happened? >> Um a lot of people told. >> Okay. Did the class get really quiet? Like they didn't expect it to happen? >> I don't know. Well, I A lot of people were like kind of laughing and some people said I'mma go like tell whoever. >> Okay. Did Miss Clark ever tell y'all not to tell? >> No. >> Didn't? Okay. That's all we need. >> All right. >> I think that's all we need. Thank you. Hey Judith, have a seat there if you would for me, please. >> Thank you. >> I am Detective Renegar. I work with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and I work in the Crimes Against Children Unit. And this is Detective Ellis. >> Yeah. >> She is one of my cohorts. I am here to discuss an incident that occurred uh at Lee Middle uh last week sometime. Okay? >> He was from Manatee County School District. >> Oh, he worked for the school. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And so what did he tell you? >> So he told me he would contact the ME so that they'll have a rep contact me. >> Okay, and the rep has not contacted you yet? >> Not yet. >> Okay. Well, I know a lot of times when we come and try to talk to teachers and stuff, they have representatives and stuff like that, and they they don't want to talk before uh they talk to their rep. >> I have no idea about the situation, so I'm like I'd prefer to go with them. >> Okay. All right. So, I won't ask you any more questions about what happened there, okay? >> All right. >> All right. I um will let you know right now that we have talked to numerous students within your class. >> Mhm. >> And they all observed the incident which took place. >> Okay. >> So, um with that in mind um I did complete an arrest warrant. >> I can't get arrested. No, I had a heart attack. And I have cardiac rehab with my doctor today in a few minutes. This whole thing has been very stressful, and they fit me in today. >> Please don't you have a heart attack? >> I had a heart attack in January, but I have atrial fibrillation, so they treated me for that. So, I have a an appointment at 3: 30. I was >> on medication for that? >> Like what? >> Five, six medications. >> [sighs] >> I know they do have nurses and stuff at the jail. This is going to be a bondable offense, so you are going to be able to bond out. Okay? >> Can we do this after the appointment? Just Just to get all my stuff together, please, with the ME rep and the doctor, cuz they fit me in today. >> So, we're not able, once the warrant has been signed, to not execute it. Oh my god. So, a judge has already reviewed the PC and has signed a warrant at that time. When the judge signs the warrant, we can't just not execute it. So, it's going to have to happen today. >> And how long do you think this is all going to take? >> You know, >> I've never been into any trouble. >> Do you have someone you can call and just let them know that this is happening? >> They don't drive. >> So, they can try to get a bond for you. >> How much is the bond? >> It says per schedule and I don't know what that bond is. What is the It's going to be a I think it's a third-degree felony. >> I think it's $1,500. >> So, it's like $1,500. >> I have that in my account, I think. I got to use that. >> Um >> Well, you don't even have to pay the entire 1,500. You can if you have that and you have the ability and then when you go to court, you'll get that 1,500 back. If you don't, which a lot >> pay a percentage, you're saying? >> Well, that's what I was going to say. If you don't have the full entire 1,500, you can hire a bondsman and then yeah, she would only pay 10% which would be $150. [music] But then you don't get that money back. That That's how they make their money. So, that would be completely up to you. That's a decision you would have to make. >> Okay. Another last thing. My car. Can I put it somewhere safe or down here cuz they locked it last night? >> We're not going to be able to let you drive your car. >> No, I know that. I'm going with you. I'm I've never been through this situation. I'm just saying the car that I have, can I put stuff in it to lock it? >> Yeah. If you have stuff inside you that you want to take out, we'll let you take that stuff out and lock in your car cuz at least >> Do I have to spend the night in jail? I've never Right now, I'm like I go to the bathroom. That's the first thing. >> Well, it's not a um You don't have to go to first appearance. So, there is a bond on this. So, as long as you can bond out. >> But, can I bond myself out with the $150 she said? >> No, you would have to hire a bondsman. And when you get in there into our booking part of the jail, they have a whole list of bondsmen that you can call. >> So, I give him >> Yeah, you [clears throat] can bond out within It takes, you know, depending on how busy they are, it may take an hour or two for them to process you and everything. And then as soon as that part's over, then yes, you can make start making phone calls and you can call a bondsman to get bonded out. So, you don't necessarily have to spend the night in jail. >> All right, thank you. >> Okay. >> Can I put this stuff Can I go to the bathroom first and [clears throat] put this stuff in my car? >> Sure. >> And you can follow me. I'm not doing anything illegal. >> Yeah, well well, this is what This is what we'll do. Here, let me see your hands. And then what you can do is you can push yourself back and you can sit up against that door and put your feet up if you'd like. You see what I'm saying? That way you don't have to even worry about. So, however you want to do it. They don't make it for comfort. >> Thank you. >> I'm not going to put these on tight. It's just If I don't If I don't, I'll get in trouble, okay? >> kind. Thank you for being kind, ma'am. >> people >> Thank you for being kind. >> Oh, you're welcome. Of course. >> After the incident, detectives interviewed several students who gave accounts of what happened and confirmed that the teacher had asked the class who wanted to slap the student. Investigators also determined that the classroom blinds were closed before another student was instructed to carry out the slap. A judge later approved an arrest warrant for 64-year-old Judith Clark, who was removed from the classroom and arrested on a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm. The student who allegedly slapped his classmate is not facing charges. As the case continues through the legal process, Clark will now have to answer to the allegations in court. 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