SRCSO: Video contradicts worker's story

MILTON, Fla. (WALA) - A Milton corrections worker has been charged with battery after surveillance video showed her violently subduing a teenager.

Investigators said the video shows the teen didn't deserve the treatment, and the state attorney's office said the charge could be upgraded to a felony.

This incident happened in August 2012 inside the Milton Girls Juvenile Facility. Officials said the investigation began after the teenage victim called the Florida Department of Children and Families.

This arrest report describes that the corrections worker gave an account that contradicted what was seen in the surveillance tape.

So because of that, she was arrested and charged.

In this video dated August 9, you see corrections worker Shannon Abbott escorting a teenager girl.

The arrest report states the girl was disruptive in class, and authorities point out that without provocation,

Abbott slams the girl onto a wall and then without further aggression, the girl is thrown onto the ground, and Abbott lies on top of her.

In a statement to investigators, Abbott wrote: "I then escorted [the teenager] on the MOD (area described name where the incident took place) and the youth struggle and hit me with her elbow several times. I asked youth numerous times and each time I asked youth to stop she would do it harder and resist to get her arms free. I then placed youth on the floor to resort to ground control."

Sgt. Scott Haines with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office said, "Her statements were obviously not truthful that she gave investigators as to how it transpired."

Abbott was arrested on December 4 and charged with battery. She has since been released on $2,500 bond.

The arrest report states the teenage girl spat blood and had a panic attack while pinned on the ground.

It also states her eye was nearly swollen shut.

Haines said, "It’s clear when you look at this video that this juvenile was not resisting and was not trying to fight this person."

The Milton Girls Facility is owned by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The facility houses up to 60 teenage girls for a period of up to a year.

In a statement an official said, "[The] DJJ will not tolerate activities which place the youth for whom we are responsible in harm's way."

The case is being investigated by a number of agencies including the State Attorney's office, which told

FOX10 News that based on the video, it is considering upgrading Abbott's charge to a felony.

The State Attorney's office is interviewing witnesses and reviewing the tapes.

It could be several days before they make a decision.

The contracted provider for this girl's facility is a company called 'Gulf Coast Youth Services.'

Officials from Gulf Coast Youth Services did not want to comment on this story.