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Teacher, Student Trade Blows After
Spat September 14, 2007
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - A teacher
and a 14-year-old student were arrested after trading blows during
an argument over taking out trash at the desert's Riverside County
Community School.
Teacher Thomas Silva, 61, was
arrested and booked for investigation of willful cruelty to a child,
while the teenager was arrested for battery on a school employee,
Sgt. Mitch Spike said Thursday. Both were released.
"Neither one of their actions were
justified," the sergeant said.
Silva, who wasn't available for
comment, has worked for the Riverside County Office of Education
since 1979, spokesman Rick Peoples said, adding he was unable to
discuss the incident because it was a personnel matter.
At about 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday,
Silva asked the student to throw out the trash and the teen refused,
Spike said. They argued and the student shoved Silva, who then
slapped the student, the sergeant said.
The student then slapped the
teacher and the teacher punched the student at least three times in
the head, Spike said.
No medical attention was needed.
Peoples said the school serves
about 40 students, who are in the seventh through 12 grades. The
students include those who have been expelled from other schools,
are on probation or have other problems.
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