Date: October 19, 2026
Prepared by: Joseph Bober, Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2026 – 225
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Flagler Beach man for child abuse after an incident in which he kicked a special needs student while employed as a substitute teacher at Matanzas High School.
On Oct. 16, a school resource deputy at Matanzas High School was notified by the school’s assistant principal of an incident in which a substitute teacher, Bryan Schewitz, 60, of Flagler Beach, had kicked a student with disabilities.
During the investigation, deputies spoke to two witnesses. One witness stated Schewitz had forcefully moved the student into a chair while the student was experiencing a behavioral episode. The witness also stated that after Schewitz forced the student into the chair, he forced the student to place his hands on the table and stated, “The gloves are off.” This witness further explained she felt Schewitz was too rough with the student, which made her uncomfortable.
The other witness reported that Schewitz kicked the student in the leg. He also stated he later saw a large mark on the student’s leg and asked Schewitz how it happened. Schewitz reportedly replied, “He kicked me and I kicked him. So now we’re square.”
Prior to deputies’ involvement, school officials asked the student what happened to his leg and the student said that Schewitz had kicked him.
Deputies then interviewed Schewitz. When asked about the events leading up to the incident, Schewitz told deputies that the student arrived late and would not sit in his chair to start his classwork. Schewitz further stated the student started kicking toward him and struck him in the leg, leading him to stick his foot out and kick the student by accident. Schewitz also said the student was walking around trying to poke other students with a pencil, so he put his hand on the student’s shoulder and guided him towards an empty chair. Schewitz said he then sat next to the student, placed his hands on the table, and sternly told him that “the gloves were coming off.”
When deputies asked Schewitz about his remark to the witness that the student kicked him, so he kicked him back and they were now even, he initially denied saying it. However, he later became confused about whether he did or did not say it and eventually stated he explained to the witness that he kicked the student on accident.
Bryan Schewitz (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
“When adults are trusted to be working with children, especially those who require extra care because of disabilities, they are expected to be the levelheaded ones in any situation and not lose control of their temper. It is never okay for a faculty member to strike a student, especially out of anger or frustration,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.
“Working together to keep our students safe is always a top priority. When issues arise that require investigation, we take them seriously. Our primary focus remains on supporting our students as we work diligently to provide safe learning environments for every student. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated on our campuses,” said Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore.
Following their investigation, deputies arrested Schewitz for child abuse without great bodily harm. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was later released on $2,500 bond.
