An 80-year-old Florida school worker faces accusations of striking a 9-year-old girl in the back of the head following allegations that the child had been hitting other students and bypassing the cafeteria line. Law enforcement authorities took Maria Luz Graham into custody and formally charged her with one count of felony child abuse without great bodily harm. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on September 17 at Deltona Lakes Elementary School, where Graham held a position in the extended-care program, according to official court records.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the student informed her mother that Graham accused her of engaging in disrespectful behavior, including punching other students, allegations the victim denied. Graham subsequently followed the victim as she carried her food tray toward her chair and struck the back of her head, resulting in pain. The child’s mother reported the incident to law enforcement, prompting deputies to initiate an investigation.
Surveillance footage provided school administrators and law enforcement investigators with additional clarity regarding the encounter. The school’s principal examined the footage on September 18 and informed deputies that the child “had not punched any student and was only horseplaying.” He further confirmed that “physical contact” transpired when Graham “struck [the victim] with enough force to cause her head to move forward.”
Deputies subsequently conducted their own review of the footage. The video purportedly captured the victim carrying a tray toward her seat while Graham trailed behind her. “As [the victim] turns toward her seat, [Graham] is seen striking the back of her head with her open right hand, causing the child’s head to move forward,” the affidavit states.
The child’s mother informed deputies of her intention to pursue criminal charges against Graham. Prior to interviewing the young girl, a deputy inquired whether she understood the distinction between truth and falsehoods. The child affirmed her understanding and proceeded to corroborate her mother’s account, according to the affidavit.
During a September 21 interview with investigators, Graham allegedly asserted that the victim had been “attempting to skip the line” and “pushing other children.” Graham stated that she intervened and threatened to relocate the victim to the back of the food line. Graham reported that the child responded, “Do whatever you need to do.” The victim subsequently “continued being disrespectful,” according to Graham’s account.
The defendant acknowledged following the child to her seat, explaining that she intended to escort the girl to the front of the cafeteria. Graham claimed she “raised her hand during the interaction” and “may have touched [the victim’s] head lightly, but did not recall striking her.”
In a statement provided to Orlando Fox affiliate WOFL, a spokesperson for Volusia County Schools announced that Graham tendered her resignation from her position the day following the incident. “The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the statement declared.
Authorities booked Graham into the Volusia County Jail on Monday and released her on her own recognizance the following Tuesday, according to official records. The court has scheduled her arraignment for October 15.
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