Lee Middle School Teacher Arrested for Child Abuse

A sixth-grade teacher at Lee Middle School faces a child abuse charge after directing a student to slap a classmate during class.

Judith Clark, 64, was arrested May 19 following an investigation into an incident that occurred May 13. Sheriff's deputies booked her into the Manatee County Jail on a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm.

Deputies learned of the incident May 14. According to witness statements, Clark repeatedly told a student to stop talking before asking the class, "Who wants to slap him?" When no one volunteered and the student continued talking, Clark asked again. She then directed two students to close the classroom window blinds and instructed another student to strike the victim.

The student complied and slapped the victim across the face with an open hand. In interviews with detectives, the 12-year-old said he feared disobeying the teacher's instruction. He is not facing charges.

School administrators removed Clark from the classroom once the investigation began. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant based on witness interviews and obtained consistent statements from multiple people. Clark was arrested without incident.