Church claims senior pastor was unaware of manual changes
In a surprising decision, Terence Gray, the senior pastor of Saint Mark AME Orlando, will not be charged with child abuse after administering corporal punishment to 16 students. Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Andrew Bain said that while the pastor’s actions are not in question, there is not enough evidence to show intent to inflict injury physical to children.
The incident happened last November at Alpha Learning Academy, a school run by Gray’s church. According to reports, Gray, a senior pastor, walked into a fourth-grade classroom and identified students who were misbehaving. He then allegedly administered three lashes to the belt to the students concerned, claiming to act with authority.
However, the mother of one student said her son suffered bruises from the punishment. She complained about Gray’s choice of discipline, saying she never consented to this type of punishment for her child.
An investigation into the matter revealed the existence of different versions of the school’s parent handbook. Although some earlier manuals included corporal punishment as an alternative to suspension, the current version does not mention the practice. The church also said Gray was unaware of the changes to the manual.
Under Florida law, teachers and school staff have the authority to maintain discipline consistent with parental expectations and practices, thereby exempting them from potential criminal prosecution.
The decision not to indict the senior pastor received mixed reactions. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has expressed opposition to corporal punishment in schools, noting that 23 states still allow the practice or have not explicitly banned it.
Despite this case, laws regarding corporal punishment vary from state to state. They are legal in some states, including Florida, but with restrictions for students with disabilities.
In conclusion, although Terence Gray is not charged with child abuse, this incident has reignited the debate on the use of corporal punishment in schools and the different laws in force in each state.
