Teacher at Florida public school 'knocks out 12-year-old student's tooth with his elbow and throws a basketball at him in fit of rage'

A Florida public school teacher has been arrested and charged after he allegedly knocked out a 12-year-old boy's tooth with his elbow and threw a basketball at him in a fit of rage.

James Bellamy, 41, was arrested after officers reviewed a video that depicted him throwing a basketball at the child and elbowing him in the mouth, resulting in the loss of the child's tooth.

Toni Foster, the mother of the 12-year-old, reported the alleged battery that occurred during a basketball game at the Putnam Academy of Arts and Science School on Monday.

Bellamy admitted to the incident but claimed it was 'not intentional,' according to the Palatka Police Department's statement. 

Bellamy, who serves as the athletics director and a physical education teacher at the public school in Palatka, Florida, has been charged with child abuse and battery. 

Toni Foster (right), the mother of the 12-year-old (left), reported the alleged battery that occurred during a basketball game at the Putnam Academy of Arts and Science School in Palatka, Florida, on Monday

James Bellamy, 41, has been arrested and charged after he allegedly knocked out a 12-year-old boy's tooth with his elbow and threw a basketball at him in a fit of rage

Authorities stated that there is a video showing 'Bellamy throwing the ball at her son and later elbowing him in the mouth, which resulted in the child losing a tooth

The alleged battery occurred during a basketball game at the Putnam Academy of Arts and Science School(pictured) in Florida 

Officers of the Palatka Police Department responded to a report of battery around 4.20pm on Monday.

Upon arriving at a residence, Foster informed them that her 12-year-old son had been assaulted earlier in the day by a teacher.

Authorities stated that there is a video showing 'Bellamy throwing the ball at her son and later elbowing him in the mouth, which resulted in the child losing a tooth.'

The child corroborated Foster's account, revealing that 'Bellamy had become angry at him because Bellamy believed he had intentionally struck his arm or head while they were playing,' officers said in a statement.

The 41-year-old teacher called the child back onto the court and threw the basketball at him, according to the 12-year-old boy, whose name has not been publicly released.

While the boy managed to avoid getting hit by the ball, he was later struck in the face by the teacher's elbow, resulting in the loss of one of his teeth. 

Foster, a restaurant owner and mother of twins, wrote on social media: 'We raise our kids to be Respectful! Especially to Adults so you can imagine how much my Baby Trust is all messed up right now'

She added: 'To have to go through a Surgery and to have a couple more up the road they're saying is hurtful!!!!!'

Police officers stated that Bellamy admitted to the battery during questioning but insisted that it was unintentional

Foster, a restaurant owner and mother of twins, wrote on social media: 'We raise our kids to be Respectful! Especially to Adults so you can imagine how much my Baby Trust is all messed up right now' 

'Thanks for the calls, messages, and Prayers,' she added. 'To have to go through a Surgery and to have a couple more up the road they're saying is hurtful!!!!!' 

Police officers stated that Bellamy admitted to the battery during questioning but insisted that it was unintentional.  

'He said the victim had hit him while playing so he called him back out onto the court,' the statement reads. 

'He said he threw the ball at the victim but when his elbow hit the child it was not intentional.' 

Bellamy was placed under arrest Monday for child abuse and battery. He was booked into the Putnam County Jail and held on no bond.

The Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences is a tuition-free, public charter school with approximately 200 students ranging from sixth to eighth grade.

According to the school's website, Bellamy serves as the athletics director and a physical education teacher.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the school for comments but has not yet received a response.