Overview
- Police in Miami-Dade arrested Nikol Marie Rodriguez on Thursday on one count of child abuse without great bodily harm.
- She was released on a $5,000 bond and was ordered to stay away from the child after a judge declined to lower the amount.
- Classroom surveillance from March 4, described in arrest records, shows the teacher grabbing the boy’s arms, spinning him, slamming his upper body and head to the floor, and pinning him.
- The 8-year-old, who has autism and ADHD, later had bruises, scratches, and a small puncture wound, and police say the teacher did not seek medical care; Rodriguez had been his primary educator since August 2024.
- Peace Christian Academy’s internal report called the actions supportive de-escalation, but investigators say the video undercuts that, and her attorney says she restrained the child because he was acting out.