Palm Coast, Florida — A 60-year-old substitute teacher is facing a child abuse charge after authorities say he kicked a student with disabilities at Matanzas High School and later allegedly told a colleague that the two were “square” because the student had kicked him first.

Bryan Schewitz was arrested and charged with child abuse without great bodily harm following an investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. According to a probable cause affidavit, witnesses described an incident involving physical force against the student, who was reportedly left with a visible injury to his leg.

Schewitz has maintained that the kick was accidental, according to the affidavit. The allegations have not been proven in court.

What Happened at Matanzas High School?

The investigation began after the school’s assistant principal informed a school resource deputy on October 16 that Schewitz was accused of kicking the student.

According to the affidavit, a witness said she saw Schewitz forcefully move the student into a chair during what was described as a “behavioral episode.” The witness alleged that Schewitz then forced the boy’s hands onto a table and told him, “The gloves are off.”

The witness also told investigators she believed Schewitz was typically “too rough with kids,” which made her uncomfortable. She said he had been “way too rough with the student” on the day of the incident and reported that she had previously raised concerns about his conduct with the assistant principal.

Investigators subsequently gathered accounts from school personnel as they worked to establish what happened.

Colleague Allegedly Heard Teacher Say They Were ‘Square’

A school paraprofessional told investigators that he witnessed Schewitz kick the student. The paraprofessional said the kick left a “large mark” on the boy’s leg, according to the affidavit.

When the colleague asked Schewitz how the student had developed the mark, Schewitz allegedly responded, “He kicked me and I kicked him. So now we’re square.”

The student’s own account also became part of the investigation. When the assistant principal asked what had happened to his leg, the boy allegedly replied, “Bryan kicked.”

Investigators photographed marks on the front of the student’s left leg, the affidavit states.

The student’s mother later contacted deputies and reported that there was “skin missing” from the area where her son was allegedly kicked. The sheriff’s office provided her with a link to upload photographs of the injury.

What Did Schewitz Tell Investigators?

During an interview after being read his Miranda rights, Schewitz offered his account of the incident, according to the affidavit.

He allegedly told investigators that the student arrived late, refused to sit down and would not complete classwork. Schewitz said the student then kicked him in the leg.

Schewitz claimed he stuck out his foot to block the student and kicked him by accident, rather than intentionally striking him.

He also acknowledged using physical force to get the student into a chair. According to the affidavit, Schewitz said he placed the student’s hands on a table and held them there while sternly telling him that “the gloves were coming off.”

Schewitz explained that he meant the situation was becoming serious and that he wanted the student to begin working.

When investigators asked whether he had told a colleague that he kicked the student back to make things even, Schewitz initially denied making the statement. The affidavit says he later indicated he was unsure whether he had made the remark but continued to maintain that the kick was accidental.

School Official Raises Concerns About Training

The investigation also raised questions about whether Schewitz had received appropriate training to manage the student’s behavior.

The school district’s lead behavior specialist told investigators that Schewitz “did not have proper training” from the district to use the redirection techniques he described.

Schewitz also acknowledged that he was not certified in the county to apply what the affidavit described as proper redirection techniques.

The training issue became an additional element of the investigation because the teacher described using physical intervention to manage the student’s behavior.

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Sheriff Responds to Allegations Involving Disabled Student

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly addressed the allegations in a statement, emphasizing the responsibility adults have when working with children, particularly students who require additional care because of disabilities.

“When adults are trusted to be working with children, especially those who require extra care because of disabilities, they are expected to be the levelheaded ones in any situation and not lose control of their temper,” Staly said.

“It is never okay for a faculty member to strike a student, especially out of anger or frustration.”

The sheriff’s statement underscored the seriousness with which authorities viewed the allegations as the investigation proceeded.

Arrest, Bond and Upcoming Court Appearance

Schewitz was booked into the Flagler County Jail following his arrest and later released after posting $2,500 bond, according to the information provided in the case.

He is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on November 17, records show.

The charge is child abuse without great bodily harm. The case remains subject to the legal process, and Schewitz’s account that the kick was accidental is part of the information documented in the affidavit.

The allegations have also drawn attention to concerns about how school staff respond to behavioral episodes involving students with disabilities and the training required for appropriate interventions.

What steps do you think schools should take to ensure students with disabilities are treated safely and staff members receive proper training? Share your thoughts in the comments below.