Most people are familiar with the old proverb, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” The King James translation of Proverbs 13:24 states, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: But he who loves him chasteneth him betimes.” The New Living Translation reads: “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.” For some, this proverb is directed at parents and should not be used as an excuse for educators to discipline our children by swatting or striking them with an object. For others, teachers and principals should have the flexibility to use corporal punishment on students when they misbehave at school. But is it okay for a principal to use corporal punishment on a 6-year-old?
A Florida elementary school principal who was videotaped swatting a 6-year-old girl several times with a paddle for damaging computer equipment found herself under investigation by local police after an April 13th video her mother took of the spanking incident in the classroom went viral.
Daily Mail reports – State Attorney Amira Fox’s office said Friday that Melissa Carter, head of Central Elementary School in Clewiston, will not face charges over the incident and that no crime was committed.
Prosecutors said the punishment did not cause harm or amount to child abuse. Its investigation found the child’s mom, Fabiola Rivera, had consented to her daughter being spanked by the school staffer.
The six-year-old’s mother, who has not been named, said she was called to her daughter’s school after the officials complained she had caused damage to a school computer.
The mother, who does not speak fluent English, claims she was confused by the allegations made against her daughter as she arrived at the school to pay a $50 fine.
She claims she was taken to the principal’s office, where her daughter was waiting.
Carter then brought out a wooden paddle and smacked the girl on the behind as she wailed.
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The mom secretly filmed the incident but did not intervene, later claiming she was confused due to the language barrier.
She filed a police report, and her attorney Brent Probinsky accused Carter of committing child abuse and aggravated battery.
But prosecutors said Friday their probe found no crime had been committed.
