80-year-old school worker charged after allegedly striking child in back of head

An elderly school worker was charged after she allegedly struck a child in the back of the head.

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An 80-year-old former Volusia County Schools worker is facing a child abuse charge after investigators said surveillance video showed her striking a student in the back of the head inside a school cafeteria.

According to WKMG, Maria Graham was arrested after the incident Thursday at Deltona Lakes Elementary School.

Investigators said surveillance video showed Graham hit the child with enough force to jolt the student forward, according to an arrest report.

Graham told deputies the child tried to skip the dinner line and pushed other students.

She said she told the child to go to the back of the line.

Graham said the child continued being disrespectful, and she planned to take the child to the front of the cafeteria.

She said she may have raised her hand during the interaction but did not recall hitting the child.