Local

JSO officer accused of beating child with hanger

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office employee was arrested after she was accused of beating a male child with a plastic hanger, JSO said Tuesday.

Erica Nicole McRae, a 12-year veteran assigned to patrol, was charged with one count of child abuse. She is in the Duval County Jail.

Latest News Headlines from Action News

According to JSO, the arrest resulted from an incident on Oct. 12, in which the victim reported to a school administrator that he was disciplined for misbehaving at school.

"The child was supposedly disciplined for misbehaving at school and allegedly the defendant struck the child several times with a clothes hanger," said JSO Undersheriff Pat Ivey.

The child alleged that McRae struck the boy with a plastic clothes hanger, leaving marks on the boy's arms and legs. JSO said McRae continued to strike the child even after breaking the initial clothes hanger used.

For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts

The Department of Children and Families said the department's investigation will not be affected by the suspect being an officer.

DCF said the child is safe with a relative.

Duval County Schools told Action News Jax that they will not talk about the incident, as it is a DCF and JSO investigation.

JSO records show McRae has four complaints on file: two from officer-involved crashes and two from citizens, including alleged harassment.

0