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Bartow school employee accused of abusing disabled children

According to the Bartow Police Department, Pamela Ann Murphy was seen by another employee striking a disabled child's face on Dec. 4.

BARTOW, Fla. -- A Bartow school employee faces two counts of child abuse after a school resource officer launched an investigation.

A school employee saw Pamela Ann Murphy, 59, strike a 7-year-old disabled child's face on Dec. 4 at the Jean O'Dell Learning Center, according to the Bartow Police Department.

According to the employees that witnessed the incident, Murphy hit the child with an open hand after the non-verbal and intellectually disabled child 'kicked their feet' at Murphy.

Officials also discovered that Murphy was involved in a prior incident on Nov. 17 with a disabled 10-year-old when the child tried to drink some of Murphy's water. Murphy cursed at the child and poured the water on the child's head.

Murphy has been arrested and charged with two counts of child abuse.

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