A Clermont man was arrested for child abuse after allegedly pushing a student with special needs into a wall multiple times.
Officers responded to Lake Hills Elementary School, located at 909 S Lakeshore Blvd., regarding 60-year-old Mark James McArthy, a teacher’s assistant, allegedly becoming aggressive with a male student, according to an arrest report from the Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department.
The principal advised that three staff members reported the incident shortly before law enforcement arrived. The incident had been captured on the school’s security camera system, as well, the report said.
The report noted that the school is for students with special needs, and the juvenile victim was a nonverbal student diagnosed with ASD and epilepsy.
The footage showed multiple students and staff members, including McArthy and the juvenile victim, walking through the hallway. McArthy could be seen escorting the juvenile victim while bending his arm backward in a manner that seemed uncomfortable and unreasonable. He then aggressively pushed the juvenile victim against the wall five times and got in his face, the report said.
McArthy continued escorting the juvenile victim down the hallway and repeatedly forced him against the wall. From another camera angle, he appeared to put his hand over the juvenile victim’s mouth. Another staff member interfered at that point and took the juvenile victim away from the area, the report said.
An officer spoke with McArthy in the school cafeteria. McArthy repeatedly tried to downplay the incident and was dismissive when questioned about his actions. Multiple attempts were made to obtain his side of the incident or a written statement. He instead became uncooperative and requested to speak with an attorney, the report said.
He was then given several commands to stay in place and not move throughout the campus while officers investigated. Despite this, he continued walking toward the principal’s office, which multiple staff members saw, the report said.
McArhty was arrested on charges of battery, child abuse and resisting arrest. The Illinois native was booked at Lake County Jail and released after posting $7,000 bond.