Florida Principal Who Paddled 6-Year-Old to Be Reinstated

The Florida elementary school principal who was videoed paddling a 6-year-old girl in front of the child’s mother will keep her job despite officials finding probable cause to sanction her for her behavior.

In a letter obtained by WINK on Tuesday, Central Elementary School principal Melissa Clark — who spanked the child on April 13 over $50 worth of computer damage — was told by Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran that he found probable cause to issue sanctions against her.

Penalties could include reprimand, fine, probation, restriction of the scope of practice, suspension not to exceed five years, revocation not to exceed 10 years, or permanent revocation of her educator certificate.

However, WINK also reported that Carter will remain at her position after the Hendry County School Board approved their staff for the next school year.

Per a police report, the mother of the child was allegedly told her daughter would be disciplined with a paddle but did not fully understand the process due to a language barrier.

The mother of the punished child told WINK back in May that she began recording the paddling on her phone during the incident, believing that was her only course of action.

In May, a review by the State Attorney’s Office found that Carter did not commit a crime.

The State Attorney’s Office also released a memo in which the child’s mother reportedly said her daughter was damaging things at home as well, but was afraid to discipline her because her daughter threatened to call police and the Department of Children and Families on her.

Cecilia Self, a clerk at the school who was seen holding the child down as Carter used the paddle, said in the memo that the child’s mother requested the school to spank her daughter and was told she needed to be present for the spanking.

Carter and Self allege the child’s mother went to the school and made the request.

Per a document sent to WINK from the family’s lawyer, the Florida Department of Children and Families — which would not confirm its findings to WINK — recommended that “Carter have no contact with young and vulnerable children in an official capacity.”

“Her actions were inappropriate and led to significant injury to a child. Although a parent was present, the action taken by the school faculty member presented as excessive and should not be tolerated,” it continued.

According to Hendry County Superintendent Michael Swindle, the school board approved Carter’s reinstatement without knowing about the letter from Corcoran or the reported document from the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Swindle says the decision about Carter was made based on information from their internal investigation, which had been completed.

Though Carter will keep her job, the child’s family told TMZ on Thursday that they are happy with Corcoran’s findings.

The family’s lawyer also told the outlet that the child is still affected, both physically and mentally, by the incident, and has been experiencing severe pain in her back and hips, as well as numbness in her legs.

The attorney adds that the child’s mother has moved her daughter to another school in the district.