Who Is Ashley Richards? Dunedin Teacher Arrest

Ashley Richards is a 32 year old woman from Dunedin, Florida. Richards was a teacher at Kindercare Learning Center. Police have accused Richards of punching a 4-year-old child who was a student at the school.

Ashley Richards Allegations

Richards Accused Of Child Abuse. “Deputies responded to Kindercare Learning Center, located at 1990 Main Street in Dunedin, after reports of a child abuse in progress. During the course of the investigation, deputies discovered that a witness overheard screaming coming from the playground of the preschool. The witness observed 32-year-old Ashley Richards yelling at the victim and repeatedly punching the child with both an open and closed fist to the back and side of the head. Richards was also observed pushing the child to the ground and yelling “Do you want me to hit you?” The incident was captured on the witness’ cell phone. Richards has been employed as a preschool teacher at Kindercare Learning Center since March of 2021 and has been placed on Administrative Leave as a result of the incident.” [Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department]

Report: Alleged Assault Caught On Cellphone Video. “The witness began recording on their cell phone as they said they watched 32-year-old Ashley Richards yelling at a 4-year-old child while repeatedly punching the toddler with both an open and closed fist to the back and side of the head. Deputies said Richards was also seen pushing the child to the ground while yelling, “Do you want me to hit you?”” [Fox]

Kindercare: Working With Police On Case, Richards On Leave. “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the children in our care. The teacher’s alleged actions do not reflect who we are or the training we provide our teachers. We are working with the police to determine what may or may not have happened. In the meantime, the teacher involved is on administrative leave until further notice.” [Kindercare]