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Palm Bay, FL – A teacher for intellectually disabled students has been arrested on charges of child abuse and false imprisonment following disturbing allegations of physical abuse against one of her students. The teacher, Beatriz Rapisarda, was taken into custody on August 22, 2024, after an investigation by the Palm Bay Police Department, in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The school issued a statement to parents earlier this morning informing them that a teacher had been arrested.
The investigation was launched after several Registered Behavioral Technicians and a teaching assistant reported an incident involving Rapisarda and a student in her classroom. According to the police report, the student, described as low-functioning and only slightly verbal, was the victim of an alleged physical altercation with the teacher.
Witnesses detailed how the student, who often wanders between stations in the classroom, resisted being moved by Rapisarda. In response, the teacher allegedly pushed the student to the ground and then dragged them to the bathroom, where she forced the child to sit on a toilet while she held the door shut for approximately eight to ten minutes. Witnesses characterized the teacher’s actions as “unacceptable” and “aggressive,” noting that such behavior is not standard practice for handling students, especially those with special needs.
Further allegations emerged concerning a previous incident on August 20, 2024, involving the same teacher and student. Witnesses described how Rapisarda allegedly “wrapped” the student in a styrofoam mat used in the classroom for dividing spaces. The child was reportedly restrained in what witnesses described as a “burrito style” manner, with the teacher holding the student in place for five to seven minutes.
The student’s parents, upon being informed of the incidents, expressed their intent to pursue criminal charges against the teacher. When approached by law enforcement, Rapisarda declined to provide a statement without legal representation. She was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of child abuse under Florida Statute 827.03(b)(1) and one count of false imprisonment under Florida Statute 787.02(1)(b).
The school district has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.
Rapisarda is expected to face court proceedings in the coming weeks, where more details of the alleged abuse may come to light. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how schools address allegations of abuse and the protection of students in specialized education programs.
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