ORLANDO, Fla. – A woman was arrested on suspicion of attacking her daughter's teacher inside an Orlando high school classroom in front of other students.
Ruth Natalie Perkins was arrested Thursday on charges of aggravated battery on a public or private education employee.
According to an arrest affidavit, chemistry teacher Elvira Tomlin said Perkins entered her classroom unannounced and started cursing at her in Spanish while threatening to kill her.
Tomlin told Perkins to leave the room, but she refused, the affidavit stated.
Tomlin tried to call for help, but Perkins knocked her desk phone onto the floor and later slapped her cellphone out of her hand, officials said.
Perkins then knocked Tomlin's glasses off her face and pushed her against a wall, according to the affidavit, which also stated that Tomlin tried to keep Perkins off her, but Perkins scratched her face.
Two students then came to Tomlin's aid, pulling Perkins off her, the affidavit said.
Perkins was located in the school parking lot and was arrested and taken to jail.
Tomlin wasn't seriously injured but her face was scratched near her left eye and her face was red, officials said.
Tomlin gave Local 6 a written statement, which read, "I just want to say that I am shocked and saddened by the parent's actions. I feel bad for the students that witnessed the incident and were upset by it. I want to thank all of those that gave me their support during this difficult time."
The incident occurred after school when Tomlin was tutoring about 20 students. After normal school hours, parents are not required to sign in at the front office before going to their child's classroom, according to an Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman.