Jacksonville woman arrested for child abuse after incident involving special needs student

Rosa Kennerly, 66, faces child abuse charges after police say she kicked and hit a special needs child on a school bus.

She has since resigned, and her certification was rescinded by the district.

The 14-year-old has cerebral palsy, is nonverbal, and goes to a school for children with special needs.

The report says the child and bus monitor were the only two on the bus at the time of the incident.

It details police found video from the school bus that shows the Kennedy hurting the child, kicking, and hitting him in the head with an open hand.

Kennerly then told police, “I just lost control.”

The child’s grandmother, who did not want to be identified says the school called her and informed her of what happened.

“It’s very painful him being special needs. Why would you do this?” She says she want’s justice for her grandchild. “You have to realize what you did, he couldn’t defend himself.”

Kennerly has since bonded out of jail, Action News Jax went to her home to confront her about the accusations.

She admitted to “tapping” the child and said she was sorry it happened.

Kennerly is due back in court for an arraignment Feb. 19.