Pranee Andrus, a teacher from Narcoossee Elementary school in Osceola County, Fla., is accused of threatening to cut off students' tongues and dragging Phoenix Hanson, a 5-year-old boy with autism, across the floor, WFTV Reports.
According to the station, investigators say the alleged abuse occurred early last month when Andrus became upset with the boy for refusing to share his toys with other students.
"He tried to get away from her and he ran to a corner. (I'm) not sure, under a desk or something, and she went and drug him out by his leg, which caused him to get rug burn on his elbow," Phoenix's father, Craig Hanson, told the station.
The boy's mother, Nina Moreno, told WFTV that the teacher also tried to entice other students to physically abuse the 5-year-old.
"She would ask other students, 'Should I hit him?' You know? Then encouraged them to hit him and kick him," Moreno told the station.
Andrus is also accused of holding scissors up to students' tongues and ankles in a threatening manner when they misbehaved.
WKMG-TV reports the abuse came to light after a teacher's aide in the classroom voiced concern to school officials.
A school district spokesperson told the station Andrus will be transferred to another school next school year while the investigation is being carried out. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has also filed child abuse charges with the state attorney's office.
Back in May, Stuart Chaifetz sent his 10-year-old son, who has autism, to New Jersey's Horace Mann Elementary School wearing a secret audio recorder after he suspected his son's teachers were abusing the boy.
Chaifetz's son recorded hours of alleged emotional abuse at the hands of his teachers, including a moment when the teacher's aide called him a "bastard."