Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrested a preschool teacher for child abuse on a student. The student is only being identified by authorities as a 2 year-old child.
The teacher, 62 year-old Rebecca Bird of Largo was arrested at Aldersgate Christian Learning Center at approximately 4:16 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022. The learning center is located at 9530 Starkey Rd in Unincorporated Seminole.
According to deputies, the victim’s mother was informed by the school that her son had been the victim of battery.
During the investigation, deputies discovered that Bird forcefully grabbed the victim several times and, in another incident, caused the victim to fall to the ground. Deputies also discovered that the incidents were captured on the school’s surveillance video.
According to the arrest documentation, Bird was observed on camera grabbing the victim’s arms several times and was observed grabbing the victim’s face around their chin area and thrusting it upward. Bird was observed taking a toy from the child and forcefully throwing it down. Once she threw the toy, it appears she struck the child in the face with an open hand followed by the victim falling to the ground. She reportedly admitted to pulling the victim’s hair when the child was not listening along with grabbing the victim’s arms are face.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Bird was employed as a preschool teacher at Aldersgate Christian Learning Center from July 12, 2022 until she was terminated on the morning of July 18, 2022, after the school had reviewed the surveillance video.
At this time, deputies believe there are no additional victims.
Bird was charged with one count of Felony Child Abuse.
Bird has multiple DUI arrests in Pinellas County with the most recent in December of 2017
The investigation continues.