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Florida substitute teacher accused of abusing special needs students

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Published  April 30, 2025 7:36pm EDT
Sumter County
FOX 35 Orlando
Family upset after child was allegedly abused by teacher

Family upset after child was allegedly abused by teacher

One family is expressing their disappointment after their daughter, who has autism, was allegedly abused by a Sumter County substitute teacher. The teacher was arrested Monday and released on a $2,000 bond.

The Brief

    • A Sumter County father is speaking out after his 5-year-old daughter allegedly suffered abuse by substitute teacher Stephanie Arnot at Lake Panasoffkee Elementary.
    • Arnot was arrested Monday after witnesses reported physical mistreatment of special needs students in her classroom.
    • Authorities and the Department of Children and Families are investigating, while the school district vows she’ll never work with children again.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida substitute teacher has been arrested on a charge of suspected child abuse involving a special needs student at a school in Sumter County.

FOX 35 talked with a father who said his daughter, 5, who is on the autism spectrum, allegedly came home with bruises and signs of abuse from the school. 

FLDE investigating alleged incidents

What we know:

Stephanie Arnot, 35, a former substitute teacher at Lake Panasoffkee Elementary School in Sumter County, was arrested on April 21, 2025, on allegations of abusing a special need preschool student.

One of the children believed to be a victim is 5-year-old Everly Osorio, who is on the autism spectrum. Her father, Caleb Osorio, said Everly returned home with bruises and began exhibiting unusual and disturbing behavior.

Witnesses told authorities they saw Arnot physically mishandle students in her care. One account described Arnot grabbing a child by the head and forcefully turning her toward a TV. Another teacher reported hearing a child screaming and found Arnot wrapping a student in a blanket and pushing her hand into the child’s face while the child pleaded, "You’re hurting me!"

What we don't know:

Authorities have not disclosed the total number of children who may have been harmed or the full extent of the alleged abuse. The long-term impact on the students involved remains unclear, as does the reason why earlier signs — if any — were not reported sooner. Investigators have not yet confirmed whether Arnot had previous complaints or disciplinary history during her tenure in the school system.

Big picture view:

The case has sparked concern among parents and advocates for children with disabilities, raising questions about the vetting, oversight, and training of substitute teachers. It has also underscored the need for stronger accountability and reporting mechanisms within schools to prevent abuse.

Many parents are now calling for a review of safety protocols and staff monitoring procedures in special education classrooms.

'My daughter said her neck was in pain'

What they're saying:

Caleb Osorio tells FOX 35 that his daughter was hurt by the teacher in the incident where deputies say she grabbed a 5-year-old student’s head.  The Sumter County father is horrified, frustrated, and heartbroken to learn that Arnott had reportedly harmed his daughter.

"To see this happen, one person come in and do something so heinous. It’s not acceptable," said Osorio.  

He tells FOX 35 Orlando they learned about the abuse from school officials last week and have been trying to piece everything together since. 

"My daughter said her neck was in pain," he said. "My daughter says that she tried to twist her head like to rip her head off her shoulders." 

Osorio said that the teacher was allegedly a substitute who had only been in his daughter’s class for two weeks. He said during that time his child came home with bruises. 

"I wouldn’t think that it would be a teacher doing this. I thought she was being clumsy, kids playing rough," he explained. "Thank God none of these kids are seriously harmed because there could have been serious stuff done if she hadn’t been caught," he added. 

Now, the father hopes officials will conduct a thorough investigation. 

"I have to imagine if she would do something like that to my daughter, what she was doing to any other kids in that classroom," said Osorio.

The Sumter County School District called the allegations deeply disturbing.

"We want to assure our families and community that we are committed to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment in every school. There is no place in our district for anyone who violates that trust. If you hurt a child in Sumter County, we will make sure you never work with children again."

What's next:

Arnot was released on a $2,000 bond. The Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating, along with local authorities.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Sumter County School District, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and Caleb Osorio, who claims his special needs daughter was abused by a teacher.

Sumter CountyEducationCrime and Public Safety