Andrus

The Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office charged a Narcoossee Elementary School teacher with child abuse Tuesday after an autistic student's parents complained the teacher physically and verbally abused their son.

The Exceptional Student Education teacher, Pranee Andrus, 51, met Osceola County Sheriff's Office deputies at the Osceola County Jail with her attorney after the agency was notified that the State Attorney’s Office was filing child abuse charges against her.

Her bond was set at $1,000.

The incident occurred before the end of the school year and involved a 5-year-old boy, according to published reports. Andrus has worked for the Osceola County School District since June 1996, spokeswoman Dana Schafer said.

“The teacher will be reassigned away from students until the outcome of the investigation is resolved,” she added.

Schafer said the district is conducting an internal investigation into the allegations but the criminal investigation “trumps” any conducted by the district.

ESE teachers are specially trained in college and receive ongoing training, certification and professional development through the district, Schafer said.

Part of that training includes specific restraint techniques if a child becomes a danger to themselves or others.