Teandrea Moore, 28, was arrested Monday after an incident in the cafeteria at Challenger Elementary School. Pearland police say she struck an eight-year-old boy with a 44-gallon trash can on wheels.
Lt. Onesimo Lopez with the Pearland Police Department said, "It was definitely not something we would consider reasonable discipline."
Investigators say the student was helping pick up trash during lunch. They tell us he bumped a number of students with the trash can, then Moore. Police say that's when Moore grabbed the can and hit the child.
"It was a very significant, sharp, straight push right at him with the intent of striking the child," said Lt. Lopez. "She did it not once, not twice, but at least three times."
According to eyewitness statements in court documents, that's when Moore said, "How do you like that? Do you like it when somebody does that to you?" Those same eyewitnesses say the boy was crying then and appeared hurt.
Moore posted $2,000 bond and is out of jail. She refused to talk to us.
She said, "Could you maybe talk to my attorney please?"
Parents find the entire episode at the school offensive, that someone entrusted with protecting and encouraging the growth of a child might react in this way. They say that is just wrong.
Grandparent Eva Cassique said, "No, no, no. They don't have the right to do that."
"Oh, I would be upset too very upset," said parent Chris Gonzalez.
One eyewitness did say she heard Moore tell the boy after the fact that she was just "joking" with him when she hit him.
This story was brought to you through our partnership with Houston Community Newspapers. You can read more about the trash can assault in the Pearland Journal.
