Welcome to Arrest Stories. A Miami woman who serves as assistant director of the National Women's Shelter Network was arrested after allegedly beating her seven-year-old autistic son with a belt following an incident at his school. Here's what may have happened.
Twenty-seven-year-old Kelly Michel faces charges after police say she used a brown belt to beat her son, who has been diagnosed with autism. The incident began when the boy kissed a classmate on the cheek at school after the classmate had fallen down. According to police reports, the child told investigators his classmate fell at school, and he kissed him on the cheek in the hopes of him feeling better. Some of the students told the teacher about what happened.
When school officials informed the boy's parents about the incident, Michel allegedly responded by beating her son with a belt. Police say the defendant hit him on his face with a belt. The beating was reportedly so severe and frightening that it caused the boy to wet himself.
A police officer responded to the boy's aftercare program on Tuesday, where the child's injuries were documented. The officer observed extensive bruising and marks across the child's body. According to the police report, I observed a red dot bruise in his right eye, a visible bruise from the right side of his cheek to behind his right ear purple and red in color, line marks on his left arm, and a bruise behind his legs.
The seven-year-old told investigators he wanted to help his classmate feel better when he kissed the child's cheek, demonstrating what police describe as typical compassionate behavior from a child with autism who was trying to comfort another student.
Following her arrest, Michel was ordered by the court to stay away from her son. The case has drawn particular attention given Michel's professional role as assistant director of the National Women's Shelter Network, an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable individuals.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.