Charter principal charged for not reporting abuse.

Casper Wong May 27, 2023 Education & Career

Charter School Principal Arrested for Failure to Report Abuse

The principal of Channelside Academy of Math and Science, a public charter school in Hillsborough County, has been arrested for failing to report instances of abuse.

Cristina Fuentes, 49, turned herself in on Saturday following an investigation by Tampa Police that began in April. Fuentes is facing charges for two incidents of failing to report abuse.

Allegation of Sexual Abuse

According to police statements, Fuentes was informed of an allegation of sexual abuse on April 27 when she was told a 7-year-old student was inappropriately touched by another student for about 30 seconds before other students intervened. The student’s teacher informed Fuentes, and though the assistant principal began the reporting procedure, Fuentes failed to report to Child Protective Services or law enforcement.

Physical Abuse by a School Employee

The police statement also points to a second instance in December where the same 7-year-old student was grabbed by a cafeteria employee and thrown to the ground, leaving him with a lip injury and shoulder bruising. Police say the incident was captured on school security footage. The victim’s teacher told Fuentes, who reviewed the footage and fired the employee the next day, according to the police statement. But Fuentes did not report the incident to law enforcement or Child Protective Services, police said.

Required Reporting by School Personnel

Florida law states that school personnel are mandated to report instances of child abuse, sexual battery or vulnerable adult abuse to the Department of Children and Families or county sheriff’s office. Failure to report child abuse is considered a third-degree felony, and failure to report a sexual battery is considered a first-degree misdemeanor.

Fuentes told law enforcement that she did not know that she was required to report child or sexual abuse, according to the statement from police. However, other witnesses provided sworn statements saying school officials were trained on mandated reporting. Police said Fuentes had also followed up with staff on reporting requirements.