Woman repeatedly punches child for doing her homework wrong, affidavit says

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida woman was arrested for repeatedly punching a girl in the face for doing her homework wrong, according to an arrest report.

The child told investigators that she was doing her homework with her siblings in 35-year-old Margaret Gissome’s bedroom when the woman “became upset” when the girl gave her the wrong answer to her homework, the report said.

Gissome, of West Palm Beach, allegedly grabbed the child by her shirt collar and shook her, before striking her with a closed fist on Wednesday.

When the girl got another answer wrong, Gissome reportedly hit her in the mouth.

According to the victim, Gissome then told her “not to worry about your lip because your nose will be next.”

The girl told officials she was then punched in the chest.

According to the report, the child suffered a “busted blood vessel” in her left eye, swelling and redness underneath her right eye, and a bruise on the bottom lip. The case was brought to officials’ attention when a teacher saw a red mark on her cheek.

WPTV reported that Gissome works in occupational care and was referred to as “Miss” by the girl. The relationship between Gissome and the child was not disclosed in the report.

Gissome was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail Thursday on a felony charge of child abuse, WPTV reported.

According to court records, Gissome had a previous domestic violence case in March 2023, but that case is now closed.

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