Man Appears in Broward Bond Court on New Child Abuse Charge: Authorities

David Baier, 50, pushed a 9-year-old autistic boy’s head to the ground: Davie Police spokesman Capt. Dale Engle

David Baier was back in Broward bond court Monday after he was accused of abusing another special needs child, police said.

Baier, 50, who was an employee at the Alternative Education Foundation’s school in Davie, faces a child abuse charge after he pushed a 9-year-old autistic boy’s head to the ground, according to Davie Police spokesman Capt. Dale Engle.

“I understand that some of these teachers are forced to use some type of physical force to restrain these children,” Engle said. “But based on what I saw in the video, it was well in excess of what any acceptable force would be.”

In another case last summer, Baier was arrested after he grabbed an autistic boy by his hair and threw him to the floor after he misbehaved during a field trip, authorities said. His attorney Steven Swickle said then that he believed Baier would ultimately be vindicated.

“The local media thankfully ran that story and a number of victims came forward after the story ran, and this is another one of those cases where Mr. Baier was involved in abusing children at the school,” Engle said Monday.

NBC 6 Videos

In court Broward Circuit Judge John Hurley ordered Baier to stay away from special needs children for purposes of employment. He set Baier’s bond at $2,500, and Baier was released later in the day.

Baier also faces a child abuse charge in the first case, and is due back in court for that May 16, according to online Broward court records.

More Local Stories:

Contact Us