Florida Teacher Charged With Abuse After Video Allegedly Shows Her Hitting Student With Broomstick

A Florida middle school teacher has been arrested after a video allegedly showing her hitting a student with a broken broomstick surfaced on social media.

Cyntyche Lundy, of Port St. Lucie, was fired from her job for the alleged abuse that happened against a Forest Grove Middle School student on April 19. The 49-year-old was arrested on April 22 on one count of felony child abuse, St. Lucie County Sheriff's office announced in a news release Tuesday.

"St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office detectives began investigating child abuse allegations against Ms. Darling Lundy on Friday after learning that the former Forest Grove Middle School teacher had struck one of her students with a broomstick," Sheriff Ken Mascara said. "The safety of our students on campus remains a top priority."

The video of the incident was reportedly recorded by a fellow student. The footage shows an adult woman hitting a 12-year-old boy with a gray or silver rod while the child screams in pain.

"I want to get out," the boy could be heard saying moments before the attack. The woman in the video replies: "You like it right there," Law & Crime reported.

Lundy reportedly first threw the broomstick at the child but missed the boy and broke a computer screen. She then used the broom handle and allegedly struck the child three times after pinning him between two desks. The boy was struck on his arm, hand and leg, according to the arrest affidavit.

However, Lundy rejected the accusations and claimed she just had a "playful interaction" with the student who was not following her instruction.

The St. Lucie Public School district said they were aware of the serious allegations against Lundy and confirmed that she was fired from her position.

"The school district is working closely with our local law enforcement partners. The alleged behavior is intolerable and reprehensible. As a result of the initial investigation, the teacher has been terminated. This behavior represents a total disregard for SLPS's mission to provide a safe and caring teaching and learning environment and such behavior is not tolerated," St. Lucie Public Schools spokesperson said in a statement.

The boy's mother, Joselyn Destine, said the entire ordeal was "enraging." "She will pay for this. She will not do this to another child," Destine said.

Lundy was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and released on a $5,000 bond.