Substitute teacher accused of striking Pasco student with yard stick

HOLIDAY — A 59-year-old substitute teacher was arrested on Thursday, accused of striking a student in class, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives said Evonne Francis was teaching a class at Paul R. Smith Middle School when she scolded the student, who was attempting to defend a classmate Francis was trying to remove from the classroom.

The Sheriff's Office said Francis called the student, whose age and grade were not provided, a "rude little boy" and asked him to leave, before hitting him twice with a yard stick she had in her hand. Two other students saw the incident, and marks were observed on the child, detectives said.

Francis faces a charge of child abuse, the Sheriff's Office said.