Lehigh Acres teacher accused of striking student at Grace Community School

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — A teacher at Grace Community School of Lehigh has been placed on administrative leave following an arrest on Thursday connected to allegations involving a student.

Melanie Garcia has been charged with cruelty toward a child and abuse of a child without great bodily harm.

Garcia allegedly struck a child in the face with an open hand and grabbed the child by her arm in a classroom.

The school said they conducted an internal review and investigation after learning of the allegations and found no evidence to support them at this time.

Grace Community School said they are fully cooperating with authorities as they conduct an independent investigation. The school stated it cannot comment further on the pending legal matter.

Garcia spoke with WINK Investigates reporter Chorus Nylander, and she said she has "no comment" regarding the allegations.

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