Sheriff ‘Furious’ After Parents Attack School Resource Officer

Volusia County, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – The Volusia County Sheriff said video of two Central Florida parents attacking a middle school resource officer was upsetting to watch.

“To say, 'I'm furious,' is beyond," Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a news conference. "There's no reason I have a deputy with a concussion for something so trivial."

The parents, Jorge Rivera, 46, and Dagmarie Apont Iturrino, 45, were caught in the school resource officer’s body cam video confronting the officer. Officers arrested the couple Tuesday, after Iturrino pushed the officer, knocking her to the ground and Rivera took her taser, officials said.

Chitwood said the incident began after the parents were called in for a conference for an incident that involved their 11-year-old son. The couple’s son was accused of “shoving a girl at school the day before.” The school had decided to pursue filing battery charges against the boy.

According to the police report, the officer told the parents the other student would not face charges for throwing a shoe at their son. When the parents heard the news, they became enraged and started cursing and insulting the deputy.

After the deputy asked them to leave, the couple continued to yell at the officer. Iturrino then placed herself between the deputy and Rivera, and pushed the deputy, the report said. During the struggle, Rivera punched the deputy in the face and took her taser. Bodycam video released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office shows the couple standing over the officer and attacking her after she fell.

After a few moments, others came to the deputy’s assistance, and she was able to get to her feet, draw her weapon and order Rivera to drop the taser. The deputy arrested and handcuffed Rivera, before being treated by paramedics for a possible concussion.

“If you’re wondering why some kids show no fear of consequences in today’s society, look no further than these parents,” Chitwood said. “I’m glad they’re locked up and I look forward to them being held fully accountable for this blatant attack on our deputy just doing her job.”

The parents were charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting with violence, disruption of school function, and trespassing on school campus. Rivera was also charged with armed robbery and grand theft for taking the taser when it fell on the floor, authorities said.

The incident is one of many attacks on school workers in this school year.

On Nov. 19, a student in Philadelphia allegedly stabbed two teachers.

Officials said shortly after noon at Castor Gardens Middle School, an 11-year-old student with developmental issues stabbed a 63-year-old teacher and a 31-year-old teacher using a kitchen knife. Police said the student stabbed the older woman in the side, and stabbed the younger woman in the arm.

First responders took the older woman to the hospital, while the boy was taken into custody by police. Castor Gardens Middle School Principal Dr. Shawn McGuigan said both women suffered minor injuries, and the younger teacher opted not to go to the hospital for treatment.

During a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg said other staff members and students were saved when a teacher’s assistant ran down the hallway after the attack to warn others. Steinberg blamed a string of failures, including a lack of investment in the school, and a faulty metal detector that did not detect the knife the boy brought to school with him, for the attack.

And in October, a student in Germantown, Md. was accused of hitting a school staff member in the head with a laptop.

Montgomery County Police said they responded to the school around noon on Oct. 14. Officials said a staff member, a 54-year-old man, was conscious but having trouble breathing after being hit in the head with the laptop. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service crews treated the man and transported him to a local hospital after the man was found conscious but having trouble breathing, Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson Liliana Lopez.

Northwest High School Principal Scott Smith said in a note to parents that the violence would not be tolerated.

“It is important to note that any student who chooses to commit an act of violence will be subject to progressive discipline in alignment with the MCPS Code of Conduct up to possible expulsion. Police will determine whether criminal charges may apply,” Smith wrote.

The victim was not identified and the incident was being investigated by the authorities, officials said.

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