A Cuban-born teacher has been apprehended in the southwest area of Miami-Dade County, facing accusations of grabbing a two-year-old by the neck and shaking him in a classroom, as reported by local media.
The individual in question is 53-year-old Beatriz Gómez Hurtado, who was employed at the Lincoln-Marti Schools and Childcare Centers site located at 15198 SW 288th Street.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office has charged her with child abuse without causing serious bodily harm.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to the arrest report, the situation began when the young child threw a tantrum and lay on the floor.
Gómez Hurtado reportedly lifted him by the wrist and then "placed both hands around the victim's neck and face, shaking him back and forth multiple times," as stated in the police document.
Following the alleged assault, the teacher disciplined the child by seating him in a chair.
The child sustained a mark on the right side of his neck and a bruise on his left cheek, all captured by classroom surveillance cameras.
School and Parents' Response
A staff member noticed the child's injuries and alerted the principal, who reviewed the footage, immediately removed Gómez Hurtado from the classroom, and terminated her employment, informing the family and authorities.
In a statement, the Lincoln-Martí Community Agency expressed being "deeply saddened and concerned," highlighting that their surveillance systems "enabled the quick detection of the behavior, the removal of the employee, notification to the family, and informing relevant authorities."
Parents were alarmed by the incident.
One mother told Univision, "Honestly, I'm shaking because I never expected this." Another parent was more forthright, saying, "I hope the teacher gets what she deserves."
A witness named Nisha Evans told WSVN 7 News that she was not surprised by the news: "When they told me, I already knew which teacher they were talking about," she said, revealing she had previously removed her own children from the school due to concerns about staff.
Bail and Restraining Order
This Wednesday, Gómez Hurtado appeared before a judge, who set a bail of $5,000 and issued a restraining order against the victim and the school premises.
The accused was released from the county's TGK jail after posting bail and refused to answer press inquiries. A man accompanying her as she left the prison simply stated, "There's nothing to comment on."
Concerning Pattern at Lincoln-Martí
This case is not without precedent in the same network: in December 2024, teacher Merlin Gutiérrez was arrested at another Lincoln-Martí center after being caught on video hitting, shaking, and slapping a two-year-old girl.
Gutiérrez pleaded guilty in February 2025 and received five years of probation, along with a permanent ban on working with minors.
In both cases, the victim was two years old, the incident occurred in a Lincoln-Martí classroom, was recorded on camera, and the institution promptly dismissed the involved employee.
Founded in 1968 by Cuban exile Demetrio Pérez Jr., Lincoln-Martí Schools operates over 46 centers serving approximately 6,500 students in South Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions about Child Abuse in Educational Settings
What are the charges against Beatriz Gómez Hurtado?
She faces charges of child abuse without causing serious bodily harm.
How did the school respond to the incident?
The school removed the teacher from the classroom, terminated her employment, and notified the family and authorities.
What was the outcome for previous similar cases at Lincoln-Martí?
In a previous case, a teacher pleaded guilty and received probation and a permanent ban on working with minors.