VENICE, FL. - A teacher's aide has been arrested for abuse on autistic student at Venice High School.

On Monday, Sept. 8th. Venice Police Department School Resource Officer Lucas responded to the Guidance Office of Venice High School in regards to a battery.  Upon arrival Lucas met with Assistant Principal Houston and other school representatives to include the victim.

It was reported at this time that Teachers Aide Richard Green had struck the victim, an autistic student at Venice High School. 

Subsequent to an on scene investigation Lucas ascertained that Richard Green was the Aide assigned to this student for approximately 1 year. 

On this particular day the student was having problems in the classroom and was sent to the Behavior Specialists in the Guidance Office. Green took the student to the office, but no one was in the office so Green took him across the hallway to another vacant office. From approximately 50 feet away another school employee heard yelling coming from within that office. The witness employee approached the office and witnessed Green grab the student by the chin/jaw area and shove his head, twice, against the wall. The employee described it as a loud bang and ordered Green to stop and leave the room.

The victim had some bleeding around the mouth and redness on the right side of their face. The victim was able to relay some of the incident, but because of his/her disabilities he/she was not able to relay all the details. 

Lucas obtained an arrest warrant and Green was arrested for Child Abuse-Agg. (Physical/Mental Injury)  

The Sarasota County School Board says Green has worked at Venice High School as a teacher's aide since 1999. He is on paid administrative leave, which is common procedure. The school board will follow the investigation and make determination upon further action once there is an outcome.