On Wednesday, Feb. 15, a Lake Wales Police School Resource Officer reported they were notified via school radio of a student hitting a teacher.

According to reports, at about 2 p.m., the officer was told that it was an incident “needing quick response” from the officer and school administrators at Lake Wales High School.

When the officer arrived at the library, two school board employees met the officer, and one of them, an Exceptional Education Student teacher, said one of her students had become angry and hit her in the shoulder, the police reported.

A school administrator grabbed the student and sat him in a chair. The teacher told the officer she did not need medical attention, but added her shoulder was sore and would probably bruise.

She told police that the student was given several direct orders not to do certain things in class. Reports note “this angered (the student) and as a result, he became physically aggressive.”

Reports note the student is a 19-year-old male with a “mental capacity of a 5-year-old” and also the student “cannot even verbally communicate due to his disability.”

Officers called the State Attorney’s Office and spoke with Assisting State Attorney Michael Cusick, and the choice was at that time made that no criminal charges would be filed, due to the student’s “incompetence,” reports note.

The student was turned over to his father and taken to Winter Haven Hospital for volunteer examination.

Reports note that as a result of his actions, the student was withdrawn from Lake Wales High School and is not allowed to re-enroll. Officers were advised by the ESE teacher who was allegedly hit that she may seek a restraining order against the student as well.

Decosey’s Night Club
site of altercation

Before leaving the property, one of the men was tased by security, according to police reports. The two men in question left the property before officers could meet with them. As to why club security used a taser, LWPD Deputy Chief Troy Schulze said Decosey’s hired private security.

“The liability falls on the security company and the business owner for training and procedures. General public can buy tasers or stun guns. They risk being charged if they unlawfully use them,” Schulze said. According to reports, no charges were filed in the case — it was classified an information report.

— Compiled by Kathy Leigh Berkowitz