A Florida deputy who worked part time at a middle school has been fired after he was caught on tape taunting 13-year-old autistic boy whom he threatened to cuff and take to a "mental hospital for life."
According to the Daily Mail, deputy Ural Darling, a 22-year law enforcement veteran, was working at Osceola Middle School when he was asked to assist with student Evan Dowdy who was accused of throwing a textbook at a teacher.
In video released by the the sheriff's office, Darling can be seen walking the 13-year-old down a hallway when he became enraged and threatened the boy with abusive language. The video shows Darling telling Dowdy to put his hands behind his back because he was going to cuff him.
During his tirade, Darling can be heard threatening to institutionalize the boy for life.
"This is what you've been wanting, right?" Darling can be heard shouting. "How about if I throw books at you? Last time I told you to stop that crap. I am not playing with you anymore!"
Announcing the firing of Darling for the incident that occurred in May, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri explained that Dowdy has the "cognitive skills of a first grader, his communications skills are those of a kindergartner."
Darling attempted to excuse his behavior saying he has never received training on how to deal with individuals with autism, but did apologize, saying he, "Never should have acted the way he did."
The school issued a statement saying, "We thank the Sheriff's Office for their thorough investigation into the allegations against Deputy Darling ... We will work with the Sheriff's Office to identify a new school resource officer for Osceola Middle School."
Watch the video below via YouTube:
