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Seffner gym teacher arrested for shoving student who accidentally hit him with volleyball: Deputies

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Published  December 23, 2024 6:59pm EST
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • Jennings Middle School teacher, John Steele, was arrested for child abuse. 
    • He's accused of shoving a 12-year-old student who accidentally hit him with a volleyball during class. 
    • The student wasn't visibly injured, but did report having back pain. 

SEFFNER, Fla. - A gym teacher at Jennings Middle School in Seffner was arrested on Monday after shoving a 12-year-old student during class last week, according to deputies. 

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said John Steele, 34, was arrested on one count of child abuse after the incident, which happened on Wednesday, December 18. Steele is listed as a physical education (PE) teacher on the middle school's website. 

Detectives said they were notified of an altercation during gym class that day. Authorities said the 12-year-old student was playing with a volleyball when it accidentally hit Steele on the chin after the victim tried to kick it. 

READ: Teen arrested after 15-year-old shot, killed at St. Pete apartment complex: Police

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 

That's when the teacher began yelling at the student and moving toward her, according to HCSO. He then placed his foot behind her and used his left arm to shove her onto her back as he leaned over her and continued yelling, deputies said. 

The 12-year-old student didn't sustain any visible injuries during the incident, but she did say she had back pain. 

According to the sheriff's office, Steele was arrested on Monday, December 23. The investigation into the incident remains active. 

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