Video appears to show former Maryland principal stomping on foot of kindergartner with autism
ROCKVILLE, Md. - A new video has surfaced allegedly showing a principal stomping on the foot of a kindergarten student with autism. The incident reportedly occurred last year at Ritchie Park Elementary School in Montgomery County. Andrew Winter, who was reassigned to Rock Creek Valley Elementary before withdrawing, is now at the center of controversy.
FOX 5's Melanie Alnwick reports that parents at Rock Creek Valley claim Winter's appointment as assistant principal was made without transparency or community input. Alnwick says the video of the incident that led to his prior assault charge recently surfaced.
Shocking video appears to show former principal stomping on foot of child with autism
In the exclusive video obtained by FOX 5, Dr. Andrew Winter, wearing a green jersey, is seen in the cafeteria at Ritchie Park last June. He is accused of grabbing the child by his clothing, sitting him down, looking around, and then forcefully stepping on the six-year-old's foot, causing the child to cry.
Winter was acquitted in a Montgomery County bench trial.
"Shocking, scary to know there is video evidence of him physically assaulting my son and now he’s acquitted - I'm still trying to understand that," the boy’s mother said in an exclusive interview with FOX 5. "I’m still in shock. it’s been a year - still can’t believe this happened to my now 7 year old."
READ MORE: Former Maryland principal withdraws from new school amid controversy
Despite acquittal petition expresses concerns about Winter's suitability
Dave Martella, Andrew Winter's attorney, said in a statement: "The allegations against Mr. Winter were tested in a court of law and a judge threw the case out without Mr. Winter even having to testify. Some people want to rely on one video from one angle to draw conclusions about Mr. Winter’s conduct and as we know from watching any NFL football game, one angle often does not show you what actually happened."
In an email, Montgomery County Public Schools told FOX 5 that Mr. Winter informed them last week that he no longer wishes to be assigned to Rock Creek Valley Elementary School.
Despite the acquittal, Rock Creek Valley parents circulated a Change.org petition expressing serious concerns about Winter’s suitability. The petition had 639 signatures.