Deputies have arrested a Pinellas County Schools employee for child abuse after hitting a 6-year-old child with autism, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).

According to deputies, 65-year-old David Jones was working as a substitute classroom assistant at Oakhurst Elementary School on Sept. 15, when he was assigned to a special needs classroom. PCSO said after lunch, the 6-year-old child with autism and is semi-verbal, "was hitting and kicking as a sign of communication."

According to PCSO, Jones then swung a lunch box containing a metal canister, hitting the child in the face and causing a swollen mark on the child's forehead.

Deputies said Jones admitted on Sept. 16 to the incident, saying it was "knee-jerk" reaction when dealing with the child whom he knew was special

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