Teacher Suspended, Accused Of Locking Students In Closet

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JACKSONVILLE (CBSMiami/AP) — Parents must feel that their children are safe and well taken care of while in the care of schoolteachers.

A Duval County elementary teacher accused of locking her students in a closet has been suspended.

Jacksonville-area news outlets report the Duval County School Board voted Tuesday to approve the five-day suspension of Alimacani Elementary School teacher Linda Haggard.

An investigative report said Haggard put students in a dark closet on several occasions to calm them down before nap time.

Witnesses said Haggard would close the closet door and sometimes turn the lights out.

The report said if the child didn't calm down, she would lock the door for 30 seconds.

Haggard admitted to putting a student in the closet, but denied locking the door shut.

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