Christopher Cagle {BSO}
A science teacher at Monarch High School faces child abuse charges after allegedly assaulting a student.
According to the Coconut Creek Police Department’s arrest report, officers responded to a 911 call from Monarch High School in which a student had reported being assaulted by a teacher, later identified as Christopher Cagle, 64, of Deerfield Beach.
According to the victim, he was walking by Cagle’s classroom (room 533) and called him “Cagle Bagel,” a nickname used by his friends. The student did not anticipate it would invoke such an angered reaction from Cagle, who reportedly called the student over and, when the student attempted to shake his hand, twisted his arm behind his back.
The student told officers he managed to free his hand, but Cagle then pulled his ear and subsequently grabbed him by the hair, dragging him into the classroom.
Once inside, the police report indicated Cagle allegedly pushed the student’s head against a table twice, causing the top of his head to strike the surface.
Following the assault, the student told law enforcement he left the classroom feeling dizzy and called 911.
Coconut Creek Fire Rescue responded and evaluated the student on the scene. Although no visible marks were found on the top of the student’s head due to his hair, red scratch marks were observed on the back and side of his neck.
School video surveillance footage corroborated parts of the student’s statement, showing the initial handshake and what appears to be Cagle pulling the student into the classroom.
Officers entered Cagle’s classroom and placed him in custody for an interview while the victim’s parents were being contacted. Once informed of the matter, records show the victim’s parents have decided to pursue charges against Cagle, who was then arrested and later transported to Broward County Main Jail.
According to WSVN7, school records show Cagle has been a teacher with Broward County Public Schools since 2005 and has served as a science teacher at Monarch High School since 2016.
Following the incident, WSVN also reported that Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) released a statement emphasizing their commitment to student safety:
“The school and District take all matters involving student safety seriously. The school’s leadership is working with the District’s Special Investigative Unit and Coconut Creek Police regarding this matter. The individual has been reassigned away from the school and students pending the outcome of the case.”
Cagle was later released after posting a $5,000 bond and was ordered not to have any contact with the victim.
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