KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Detectives with the Kissimmee Police Department have arrested an officer on a child abuse charge, the Police Department said.
At 8:40 a.m. May 8, a 13-year-old boy had an altercation with school resource Officer Mario Badia in the front office of Kissimmee Middle School, police said.
Badia was called to the lobby of the school by school administrators about a domestic disturbance. Police said Badia met with the boy and his mother, who were involved in the dispute.
According to the arrest affidavit, Badia tried to get the boy's attention by reaching for his chin so he would look in his direction.
Police said the boy stepped away from Badia and reacted to the hand coming at his face by trying to block it with his arm.
Badia then shoved the boy in the chest, knocking him off balance, according to the report. Surveillance video allegedly shows Badia body slam the boy, who was not resisting, along with yelling at him.
School administrators called the Kissimmee Police Department about the incident. The department said its criminal investigation division conducted an investigation.
Detectives found probable cause to charge Badia with child abuse. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant Friday and took Badia into custody, police said.
Badia was booked into the Osceola County Jail with a bond of $5,000, according to Kissimmee police.
Badia began working at the Kissimmee Police Department in September 2013. The department said he served in the patrol and the specialized patrol divisions.
Badia has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of the criminal and internal investigations, Kissimmee police said.