A mom in Florida claims her son’s physical education teacher took things too far during a game of basketball when her son reportedly lost a tooth. PE teacher James Bellamy, 41, allegedly elbowed a 12-year-old boy in the face while they were playing in the gym at Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences when the friendly game seemed to turn ugly.
According to a release from the Palatka Police Department, officers interviewed Bellamy, who denied the claims, but evidence reportedly supported the mother’s claim. Police arrested the teacher and took him into custody on charges of child abuse and battery.
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The mother claimed her son was innocent.
Toni Foster reportedly contacted police after school on Monday to report the alleged attack, the release explained. She said her son was playing basketball with Bellamy at school, and the teacher allegedly elbowed her son in the face.
The angry mother shared a video of the incident with WJXT, but according to the station, the recording does not show the entire interaction.
“That’s my son in the white. When he tried to dunk the ball it looks like he messed around and hit Mr. Bellamy,” Foster told WJXT, adding that it was an accident.
The mother said her son already had one surgery after the game and may require additional surgery in the future.
The teacher allegedly got angry.
The boy reportedly told police that his teacher seemed to think he hit him with the ball on purpose and Bellamy attacked him.
“The child told Officers Bellamy called him back out onto the court and then threw the ball at him, but he was able to duck and not get hit by it," the release explained. “The child said he and Bellamy then started playing and then Bellamy struck him in the face with his elbow which knocked his tooth out.”
Bellamy reportedly said he was innocent.
After interviewing Foster and her son, police went to Bellamy’s home to interview him. The teacher, who also served as the school’s athletic director, admitted playing with the kids but not hurting the child.
“He said the victim had hit him while playing so he called him back out onto the court. He said he threw the ball at the victim but when his elbow hit the child it was not intentional,” per the police department's release.
After further investigation, authorities arrested Bellamy on charges of child abuse and battery and booked him in the Putnam County Jail without bond.
Foster said she was hurt by the situation.
She told WJXT that she is heartbroken by what happened to her son. “His mental health. That’s my biggest concern seeing him in pain, hearing him cry and when I go check on him, he’s just lying there.”
Although her son is hurt, she doesn’t wish ill will on Bellamy. She told the station she thinks he needs help. “Probably more training on how to deal with situations when you get upset because we’re all human,” Foster said.
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The district fired Bellamy promptly.
The Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences released a statement regarding the alleged incident.
“James Bellamy was involved in an incident during which he injured a student. Mr. Bellamy was immediately terminated… While we cannot comment further due to student privacy laws, we want to assure the community that the safety and welfare of our students remains our top priority,” WJXT reported.
Foster updated her Facebook page, thanking friends and family for their support.
“Thanks for the calls, messages, and Prayers We raise our kids to be Respectful! Especially to Adults so you can imagine how much my Baby Trust is all messed up right now To have to go through a Surgery and to have a couple more up the road they’re saying is hurtful!!!!! (our Twin).”
