Local pre-k teacher charged with CHILD ABUSE!

Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Pre-Kindergarten teacher Thursday and charged her with child abuse. Leslie Kostakis, 49, was preparing to read to her Pre-K students inside of a Richey Elementary School classroom and had students sitting in a circle on the floor when one student remained standing. Kostakis was witnessed forcefully pulling the 4-year-old student to the floor. Two minutes later, Kostakis was seen repeating that action with the same student. In neither incident was the child verbally told to sit down. 

Kostakis was charged with child abuse and taken to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center. She has since posted a $5,000 bond.

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