A Palm Beach County teacher has been arrested following allegations of child abuse inside the classroom. Christopher Winkles, who taught social studies at Santaluces Community High School, stands accused of striking a student with a whiteboard on April 14, according to a report by WPBF. The incident purportedly occurred during class when he hit the student on the leg with the board for reasons that are yet to be clarified.
The subsequent arrest came on May 7, as per the CBS12 News report, leading to Winkles's dismissal from his teaching post and his role as the girls' beach volleyball coach. The students in the classroom at the time have supported the victim's account, noting the act was sufficiently violent to cause a visible red mark and be heard by classmates.
Dr. Tameka Robinson, Principal of Santaluces High School, conveyed the seriousness of the situation to parents and staff, stressing that student safety remains the top priority. She noted that the School District is treating the matter with utmost importance and confirmed that Winkles has not been on campus since the incident and will not be returning. In an email, Robinson also shared that the teacher’s classes will continue to be covered by a substitute through the end of the school year, according to details obtained by WPBF.
After the arrest, Winkles was booked into Palm Beach County Jail and released on a $5,000 bond. The school district has not yet responded to inquiries regarding whether Winkles will be allowed to finish the school year, continue coaching, or return to teaching next fall, as CBS12 News reported. Further details on the case remain sparse due to the ongoing investigation, but school authorities and law enforcement have confirmed they are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness. As the case unfolds, more information is expected to emerge.
