TAMPA, FL — A charter school principal is facing charges after Tampa police said she failed to report the physical abuse of a 7-year-old child by a school cafeteria monitor and the sexual abuse of the same child by another student.
Cristina Fuentes, 49, the principal of Channelside Charter Academy at 1029 E Twiggs St., Tampa,turned herself into the Orient Road Jail on Saturday following an investigation by Tampa police detectives that began in April.
According to police, on Dec. 15, Fuentes was told that a school employee performing cafeteria monitor duties grabbed a 7-year-old student by the arm and threw him to the tile floor. The child hit his head and shoulder, receiving a cut on his lip and bruising his shoulder.
Detectives said Fuentes was made aware of the incident by the victim's teacher immediately after. The incident was also captured on school security footage that was reviewed by Fuentes that day.
Fuentes terminated the school employee the next day, citing "misconduct" and "violation of policy after reviewing video footage." However, she did not report the abuse to Child Protective Services or the police.
Then, on April 27, Fuentes was told about a child-on-child sexual allegation involving the same 7-year-old. The child was sitting down when he was approached by another student who sat beside him and touched him inappropriately for about 30 seconds before other students intervened, said detectives.
Once again, Fuentes was notified immediately by the child's teacher. Although the assistant principal began the reporting procedure, Fuentes took over and failed to report the offense to Child Protective Services or law enforcement, said detectives.
Both abuse incidents are under investigation.
During an interview with Fuentes, she told detectives that she did not know she was required to report child abuse or sexual abuse. However, sworn statements provided by witnesses stated that school personnel received training on mandated reporting and how to properly report incidents as required by law at the beginning of this school year.
Additionally, Fuentes admitted that she followed up with her staff regarding the training.
She has been charged with two counts of failure to report child abuse. She was released from jail on a $4,000 bond.
