Wesley Chapel High Teacher Accused Of Abusing Student On Bus

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL -- A Wesley Chapel High School special needs teacher has been arrested after being accused of abusing a special needs student on the school bus.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office arrested Derek Simpson, 35, of Tampa on Sept. 24 and charged him with two counts of child abuse.

Deputies decided to charge Simpson after viewing videos from the school bus surveillance camera on Sept. 18 and 20 and determining he used unreasonable force with the student.

The student is autistic and nonverbal.

According to the sheriff's office, the videos show Simpson applying his body weight and pushing the student's down by the back of the head multiple times. The student was restrained to the bus seat by a four-point harness at the time. Deputies say Simpson also restrained the student's arms by the wrists and shoved his left elbow into the side of the student's neck.

The student was screaming and tried repeatedly the get out of Simpson's grasp. The student sustained back injuries as a result.

When interviewed, Simpson admitted his behavior was not an allowable restraining technique for teachers.

Simpson was released from the Land O' Lakes Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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