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Deborah Tersigni, a 44-year-old Davie school teacher, has been charged with child abuse after she allegedly restrained an 8-year-old intellectually and physically handicapped student.
She also reportedly sat on top of the student, a Broward County School Police report says.
Police say the incident occurred in January at Silver Ridge Elementary School.
Tersigni allegedly grabbed the boy from his chair and forced his hands behind his back, then put him face-down on the floor.
She then sat on top of his back, which made it difficult for the boy to breathe.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the boy weighs 30 pounds, while Tersigni weighs 155 pounds.
Records show that Tersigni has been with the district for close to a decade.
Silver Ridge Elementary says she was reassigned in January after the incident while the investigation is ongoing.
Tersigni was taken into custody on Friday.
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