MIAMI – The family of an 8-year-old boy was outraged Tuesday, claiming the boy's teacher struck him at Poinciana Park Elementary School in Miami.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed that they were called to the school at 6745 NW 23rd Ave. in reference to a battery on a child. However, Miami-Dade Public Schools police spokesman Raul Correa said it was determined that the boy was accidentally struck by a door after knocking on the door to his classroom.
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According to Correa, the boy, identified by relatives as Willmari Hicks, was involved in an altercation during PE and was sent to the office.
Correa said the boy left the office on his own and knocked on the door to his classroom. As the door opened, it struck him in the head, Correa said.
Correa said the boy claimed that the teacher struck him on purpose and his mother insisted that he be taken to a hospital to be checked out.
A photo of the boy shows a large bump on his forehead.
Willmari's sister told Local 10 News that he has been struck before by his teacher, but this is the first time the school reported the injury.
Willmari's mother claims that her son comes home often with scratches and once came home from school with bruises on his neck.
The boy's mother said that her son has told her that his teacher has struck him before and that he believes that she struck him with the door purposefully.
Willmari was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.