Florida substitute teacher Jeffrey Jung faces criminal charges after punching a defenseless, nonverbal autistic student who was lying on the floor at Seminole High School.
Key Takeaways
- Jeffrey Jung, a substitute teacher, was arrested for allegedly punching a nonverbal autistic student at Seminole High School in Florida
- The assault occurred after Jung blamed the student for causing another child’s nosebleed
- A staff member witnessed and intervened to stop the attack on the vulnerable student
- Jung was immediately dismissed from his position with Seminole County Public Schools and released on $1,000 bond
- Education experts are calling for enhanced training for teachers working with students on the autism spectrum
Teacher Arrested After Assaulting Vulnerable Student
In a disturbing incident at Seminole High School in Florida, substitute teacher Jeffrey Jung was arrested after allegedly assaulting a nonverbal student with autism on May 19. According to police reports, Jung blamed the special needs student for causing another child’s nosebleed before punching the vulnerable student in the ribs and arm while the student was lying on the floor. The attack was only stopped when another staff member witnessed the assault and stepped in to intervene, highlighting serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable students in educational settings.
The Sanford Police Department promptly arrested Jung following the incident. He was charged with battery and later released on a $1,000 bond. Jung had been employed as a long-term substitute with the Seminole County district since August 2024 but was immediately terminated following the incident. This case has sparked outrage among parents and advocates for children with special needs, who question how someone entrusted with the care of vulnerable students could commit such an act of violence.
School District Responds to Serious Allegations
Seminole County Public Schools released a statement emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that compromises student safety. “Any allegations of misconduct by our staff will be taken seriously and handled quickly. We will continue to fully cooperate and assist law enforcement as they continue their investigation. The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and any type of behavior that jeopardizes that safety will not be tolerated in Seminole County Public Schools,” said SCPS spokesperson.
Following the incident, school officials contacted the victim’s parents, and the student’s father expressed a desire to press charges against Jung. The school resource officer provided a detailed incident description to law enforcement, leading to Jung’s prompt arrest. This swift action demonstrates the seriousness with which school authorities and law enforcement are treating this case, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of students with special needs and the sacred trust placed in educators.
Calls for Enhanced Training for Special Education Teachers
The incident has prompted education advocates to call for additional training requirements for teachers working with students who have autism. Margaret Thornton from Opportunity Community Ability Inc. expressed she was “heartbroken for that student and their family because their life has been forever changed.”
Thornton emphasized the need for specialized training, stating, “A public educator who’s working with children on the spectrum probably already has an ESC certificate. I would urge them, honestly, to have an Autism Spectrum Disorder endorsement, which is an additional level of education.”
This case highlights a critical gap in our education system where substitute teachers may not receive the same level of specialized training as permanent staff, yet they are often placed in classrooms with our most vulnerable students. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough background checks, proper training, and constant supervision in educational settings, especially those serving students with special needs who may be unable to verbally report abuse or misconduct.
