Deputies arrested a Flagler County substitute teacher after witnesses said he kicked a student with disabilities and declared, “Now we’re square.”
Story Snapshot
- Witnesses reported a kick to a special needs student at Matanzas High School.
- Sheriff’s office says the teacher later said, “He kicked me and I kicked him.”
- One witness said the student had a large mark on his leg after the incident.
- The teacher told investigators the contact was accidental after the student kicked first.
Arrest at Matanzas High School and What Witnesses Described
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested substitute teacher Bryan Schewitz after a report of classroom contact with a student with disabilities at Matanzas High School on October 16. Two witnesses told deputies they saw physical actions by the teacher. One described a kick to the student’s leg. Another described the teacher forcefully moving the student into a chair and placing the student’s hands on a table. Deputies booked Schewitz on a charge of child abuse without great bodily harm.
Deputies cited a remark that raised the stakes. According to the sheriff’s office, Schewitz said, “He kicked me and I kicked him. So now we’re square.” That statement reads like payback, not protection. One witness also reported that the student later had a large mark on his leg. Law enforcement treated both the conduct and the words as key to probable cause. The student’s disability status further heightened concern about the use of force in a classroom.
What the Teacher Says Happened in Those Seconds
Schewitz admitted there was contact but denied intent to harm. He told investigators the student kicked toward him first and hit his leg. He said he then stuck out his foot and made contact by accident. Reports also note that he guided the student to a chair during the episode. His account frames the kick as a reflex or block, not a strike. That claim matters because Florida’s child abuse law hinges on intentional infliction, not mere contact.
Witnesses offered more detail about the tone and sequence. One said Schewitz forcefully moved the student, set the student’s hands on the desk, and said, “The gloves are off.” That phrase, if spoken, signals frustration and a shift from managing behavior to confrontation. Deputies weighed these statements with the reported leg mark and the “square” remark in making the arrest. As with any arrest, the charge is an allegation and not a conviction.
How Florida Law Reads on Force, Abuse, and Schools
Florida treats child abuse without great bodily harm as a felony when someone intentionally inflicts physical or mental injury on a minor. Intent separates a crime from a chaotic struggle. A teacher can restrain a student to stop immediate harm, but that response must be reasonable and aimed at safety, not payback. Prosecutors often look at words said in the moment to infer motive. “Now we’re square” fits a tit-for-tat frame that courts take seriously.
Past cases show how narrow this line is. Courts have reversed convictions when the state could not prove the mental element, even when contact happened during discipline. That is why investigators focus on whether a staff member used force to stop harm or to settle a score. Witness testimony, any visible injury, and the suspect’s own words often decide that question long before a jury hears it.
Why Disability Status Raises the Bar for Adults in the Room
National data show physical restraint in schools is rare, yet students with disabilities bear most of it. Federal figures report that students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act make up about one in eight students, but about three in four students who experience physical restraint. That imbalance turns single incidents into public tests of trust. Families expect trained adults to de-escalate, not escalate, when a child melts down.
Florida substitute teacher busted for allegedly kicking special needs student: 'Now we're square' https://t.co/2Dh729HFc6 pic.twitter.com/1QPzLfNFdZ
— New York Post (@nypost) October 20, 2026
Conservative common sense sets a simple rule: protect kids, control your temper, and document the facts. Parents send children to school to learn, not to get hurt. Staff need clear training and backup when behavior turns risky. Schools should preserve video, call parents fast, and turn over records to law enforcement when a line is crossed. That clarity protects students first and also protects good teachers from false claims.
What Happens Next and What To Watch
Prosecutors will review the sheriff’s report, the witness statements, and any campus security footage. They will decide whether to file formal charges or reduce them. Defense counsel will likely argue the contact was an accident during a disruptive episode. The reported quotes will loom large either way. The school district will face questions about staff training, supervision, and how fast it notified the deputy on campus.
The public takeaway is tight and urgent. Words in a heated moment can define your intent. A single step of your foot can decide your future. In classrooms with vulnerable students, the only winning move is de-escalation, coaching, and calling for help. That is not soft. That is strong, disciplined, and right.
Sources:
nypost.com, wftv.com, news4jax.com, observerlocalnews.com
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