Prepared by: Tonya Woodworth, Director of Public Information
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Bunnell man for felony child abuse following an investigation into an incident that occurred on Friday, Oct. 16, between the man and a special needs student while he was employed as an elementary school teacher at Wadsworth Elementary.
Prior to deputies’ involvement, a paraprofessional who witnessed the incident immediately reported it to school administrators, who escorted the teacher, Kevin Adkisson, 52, of Bunnell, off campus and then notified the student’s parents and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Photo 1: The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrests Kevin Adkisson in Bunnell, Fla., on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Photo 2: Kevin Adkisson (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)
FCSO’s Major Case Unit began investigating after being notified of the incident. Detectives subsequently spoke with a DCF investigator who advised they had received a report regarding alleged physical abuse of a student by a teacher.
During their investigation, detectives determined the incident occurred after two students began arguing over a toy during free time. When another staff member tried to intervene, Adkisson forcefully removed the toy from their hands. According to the witness, Adkisson then pushed one of the students as the student attempted to return to a table. He then forcefully grabbed the student by the arm—in a rough, slinging motion—causing the student’s body to swing through the air. Adkisson then yelled at the student and stated he was acting like a 2-year-old and needed to go to their designated area.
Visibly upset, the student then crawled underneath a desk and began to yell and cry. When the student did not comply with Adkisson’s instructions to get out from under the desk, Adkisson moved the desk and grabbed the student by the arm before pinning him against a wall, restricting the student’s ability to move. Before Adkisson released the student, the witness could hear the student crying and telling Adkisson he was hurting him and that the student couldn’t breathe. Adkisson eventually released the student, told him he was not hurt, and walked away.
When speaking with detectives, the student reported a prior incident in which Adkisson allegedly struck both sides of the student’s stomach with closed hands, picked the student up, and then placed him in the back of the line after the student skipped ahead of classmates.
During the investigation, Adkisson declined to speak with detectives.
“Parents entrust teachers to provide a safe learning environment for their children. Some special needs students can be challenging but everyone who works with these children must always keep their cool,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This is an unfortunate incident, but this should not taint the professional and hard-working faculty and staff, which do an outstanding job with our children. But let me be clear: Abuse of any kind, especially at the hands of a trusted adult, will not be tolerated.”
“I’m proud of our staff for taking action and speaking up in this matter. We will continue to encourage ‘See Something, Say Something’ as a practice for all of our employees and students. Keeping our students safe is everyone’s top priority. The situation is one that we take seriously and are currently investigating, as well as cooperating with authorities,” said Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore. “The district provides intervention training and support to help our faculty and staff care for our students each day. We are committed to ensuring everyone in our district has the resources necessary to meet the unique needs of every student.”
Following the investigation, detectives arrested Adkisson on two counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. Adkisson was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was released on a $5,000 bond.
