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Judge Recommends To Reinstate Teacher Accused Of Child Abuse

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DAVIE (CBSMiami) -- An elementary school teacher for special needs children says she was falsely accused by her colleagues of more than 20 acts of abuse against nine different kids.

"Allegations were made against me that were not true. And there was no basis for them," said Deborah Tersigni, who was suspended without pay from Silver Ridge Elementary in 2013, following an arrest for the alleged acts.

The ordeal changed her life.

"It destroyed my career. It caused me to want to stay home and hide. I was afraid to be in public. Afraid to be with children I was not related to. It devastated me," admitted Tersigni.

However, after a nearly two-year battle, criminal charges against her were dropped and on Thursday, a state administrative judge recommended Tersigni be reinstated for her old job.

A spokeswoman for Broward County Public Schools said they're looking into it.

"The District's legal team is reviewing the opinion provided by the court this week. They will take the next appropriate steps regarding this matter," said Chief Public Information Officer Tracy Clark.

 

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