Fla. woman allegedly punched little girl repeatedly over wrong homework answers

PALM BEACH, Fla. (TCN) — A 35-year-old woman is out on bond after she was taken into custody for allegedly punching a girl several times over incorrect homework answers.

Palm Beach County Jail records show Margaret Gissome was arrested Sept. 11 on one count of cruelty toward children — aggravated child abuse and posted bond two days later.

According the redacted probable cause affidavit, a Palm Beach County deputy responded to a call from a Department of Children and Families investigator, who said that on Sept. 10, the victim was doing homework when Gissome “became upset” because the girl was “doing her homework wrong.” The affidavit alleges Gissome grabbed the girl’s collar and started punching her in the face. The victim reportedly suffered a busted blood vessel in her eye and a busted lower lip due to the punches.

The deputy spoke with the victim and reportedly “immediately observed redness” on the left side of her face. The girl reportedly claimed she got a wrong answer on her homework, which caused Gissome to get angry. Gissome allegedly “started shaking her, and with a closed fist started striking her face with the same hand.”

The affidavit alleges Gissome told the girl “not to worry about your lip because your nose will be next.”

Then, Gissome allegedly punched her in the chest.

Court records show Gissome is not allowed to contact the victim. WPTV-TV reports Gissome works in occupational care.

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