A Florida high school teacher has been arrested for allegedly knocking out a 12-year-old student’s tooth with his elbow and throwing a basketball at his head during a hot hoops game at the school.
The victim told police on Monday that the teacher, identified as 41-year-old James Bellamy, had been “angry” at him because he thought the boy had hit him on purpose during a basketball game.
Bellamy, who taught physical education and served as athletic director at Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences in Palatka, was charged with child abuse and battery.
The alleged assault was also caught on camera, the boy’s mother, Toni Foster, told police.
“Foster was shown a video of his son and Bellamy playing basketball,” the Palatka Police Department said in a statement.
“The video shows Bellamy throwing a ball at his son and then elbowing him in the mouth which knocked the child’s teeth out.”
Florida teacher James Bellamy, 41, has been charged with child abuse and battery. Palatka Police Department Toni Foster, center, called police Monday to say her 12-year-old son, left, had his teeth pulled by Bellamy during a school basketball game. Facebook/Toni Foster
The student, who has not been identified, claimed the teacher was angry “because Bellamy believed he was intentionally hitting his arm or head while they were playing,” police said.
The youngster claimed Bellamy called him back onto the court and then threw the ball at him, but he managed to dodge and not get hit.
“The boy said he and Bellamy then started playing and then Bellamy hit him in the face with his elbow which knocked out his teeth,” police said.
The victim said Bellamy became enraged because he thought the boy had hit him on purpose while playing basketball at Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences in Palatka, Florida. Google Maps
Investigators then went to Bellamy’s home and questioned him about the incident at the school.
The teacher claimed the 12-year-old boy had hit him while he was playing basketball with a group of students.
Bellamy, who teaches physical education, denied elbowing the boy in the face on purpose. Facebook/James Bellamy
“He said he threw the ball at the victim but when his elbow hit the child it was accidental,” according to the police.
Bellamy was booked into the Putnam County jail and ordered held without bond.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
