Davie Teacher Accused Of Abusing Autistic Student Bonds Out Of Jail
DAVIE (CBSMiami) – An employee of an alternative education school in Davie has bonded out of jail after being charged with two counts of child abuse.
David Baier, 49, walked out of Broward County Jail Thursday afternoon after posting two-thousand dollars bond.
Baier is an employee of the Alternative Education Foundation (AEF) school at 4650 SW 61st Avenue.
According to the arrest affidavit, the student, who has autism, was acting disruptive during a school field trip. After returning to the school, Baier is accused taking away the child's chair because he was fidgety. He reportedly told the child he could get his chair back if he could stand for five minutes and not "annoy him".
The affidavit states that the child began to crouch down, that's when Baier allegedly pulled the child's hair up to get him to a standing position. A short time later, police say Baier again grabbed the child by the hair, this time throwing him to the ground and pinning him there for several seconds.
Authorities say the entire incident was caught on video. Officials reviewed it after the child complained to his mother that his head was sore.
"I trusted these people," said the child's mother, Wendy. "The thought of somebody doing this to my son and hurting him, and putting him thru that and not caring."
"How can you send your child to a school that's designed for special needs children, and have one of their employees treat your child like this?" said Captain Dale Engle of Davie Police.
The school is geared toward students who need an education in an alternative setting.
No school officials would talk to CBS4 News.
"AEF operates a variety of schools, camps, tutoring services, and parent support groups for children and families whose needs are not being met by traditional public schools or mainstream services," according to the foundation's website.
The school's director posted on Facebook that Baier is now on administrative leave.
Parents who have concerns that their child may also suffered abuse at the school can contact Detective Wong at (954) 693-8200.
