Florida substitute teacher accused of punching autistic student in the ribs

A shocking incident took place at Seminole High School in Florida, where a substitute teacher allegedly punched an autistic, nonverbal student in the ribs while he was lying on the floor in a classroom. The accused, Jeffrey Jung, 27, was arrested following the incident, which was witnessed by staff members.

According to reports, Jung approached the student while they were on a mat in the classroom and proceeded to punch them in the ribs and arm. Witnesses revealed that Jung had accused the student of giving another child a nosebleed, leading to the violent outburst. Fortunately, another witness intervened to stop the attack on the autistic, nonverbal student.

Jung, who had been working as a substitute teacher in the Seminole County district since August 2024, was immediately terminated from his position after the incident came to light. The district issued a statement expressing their commitment to taking any allegations of misconduct seriously and cooperating fully with law enforcement in their investigation.

The safety of students and staff is paramount in Seminole County Public Schools, and any behavior that puts this safety at risk will not be tolerated. The district reiterated their zero-tolerance policy for such incidents and assured the community that appropriate action would be taken to address the situation.

Following his arrest, Jung was charged with battery and subsequently released on a $1,000 bond. The incident has left the community in shock and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students in schools. It serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students, especially those with special needs.