Open in App
  • Local
  • Headlines
  • Election
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    2 Florida educators arrested after shocking video of teacher putting student, 14, in chokehold surfaces: ‘You’re killing him!’

    By Lauren Elkies Schram,

    2024-09-07

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=35ET5h_0vORUGIB00

    Two Florida educators have been arrested after video of a teacher putting a student in a chokehold earlier this year surfaced — with a vice principal nabbed for allegedly trying to bury the disturbing incident.

    Bennie Leverett, a teacher at Progress Village Middle School in Tampa, and school vice principal Tashiska Fabian were arrested in connection to the Jan. 18 melee, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday.

    Leverett, 39, put the student in a chokehold, “restricting the student’s ability to breathe,” according to the sheriff’s office and the video.

    Leverett allegedly held the student, who is 14, in the chokehold for around four minutes, even pulling the kid to the ground at one point while still grasping him, according to an arrest affidavit cited by the Tampa Bay Times .

    Jersey Shore cops place surfer in chokehold after he allegedly failed to show beach admission pass: wild video

    The teacher allegedly made students who recorded the scuffle delete their footage before leaving his classroom, the outlet reported.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ey94H_0vORUGIB00
    A video shows Bennie Leverett allegedly putting a 14-year-old student in a chokehold. HCSO

    Why sleeping in bed with your kids could wind up killing them

    Once Fabian, 41, learned of the incident, she met with Leverett and the student, but failed to report it to the police or the child abuse hotline, HCSO said.

    She also ordered a student who had recorded the scene to delete their video, it added.

    Cops, however, were able to recover the video, in which the teacher said, “He isn’t responding to me,” followed by a student saying, “He can’t! He’s dying! You’re killing him!”

    In February, the sheriff’s office and the Department of Children and Families visited the school.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3NQjmJ_0vORUGIB00
    Teacher Bennie Leverett allegedly put a student in a chokehold, “restricting the student’s ability to breathe,” the sheriff’s office said. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

    Leverett, who was arrested in March, faces child abuse charges. Fabian, who was busted on Wednesday, faces a charge of failing to report child abuse and is being held on a $2,500 bond.

    Fabian was “pulled from duty” in February and “let go,” while Leverett resigned from the district in March, Hillsborough County Public Schools told WFLA .

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0KjSu3_0vORUGIB00
    Vice principal Tashiska Fabian allegedly tried to cover up the incident by not reporting it to authorities, officials said. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

    “It is deeply troubling that a teacher would harm a student, but even more so when a person in a position of authority fails to do the right thing and report the crime,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said.

    “This is a complete betrayal of trust within our community.”

    The investigation is ongoing.

    For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.

    Expand All
    Comments / 254
    Add a Comment
    Guest
    3d ago
    It could have been the only way to restrain the student. It is sad it has gotten to this point because these kids will actually jump on you.
    Errol Brooks
    3d ago
    The two of them should have known better.
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News
    The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel1 day ago
    The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel22 days ago

    Comments / 0