Today in her first appearance in court, a Pinellas county judge kept Melanie Jo Fox's bond at $20,000.
Fox is a special needs teacher at Skycrest Elementary School. On Thursday, Fox was arrested for allegedly hitting and kicking a special needs girl. In a separate alleged incident, Fox is accused of tying the hands of an 8-year-old special need boy with a rubber band.
In court, a family friend of Fox, Catherine Baggett, spoke to the judge to defend her.
Baggett said, "She's a good person, a good advocate for special needs students."
Baggett has a child who was taught by Fox, and through tears she told the judge how much Fox has meant to her daughter's life.
Fox made a statement herself to the judge, saying: "I've never been in trouble. These are strictly allegations."
In addition to the $20,000 bond, the judge restricted Fox from having contact with minors.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:15 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:15:09 GMT
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:04 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:04:09 GMT
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:32:28 GMT
AP Photo
The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved far-reaching immigration legislation that gives a chance at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved far-reaching immigration legislation that gives a chance at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:57 GMT
It's one of the big scandals that's been plaguing President Obama's administration in recent weeks: news that the I-R-S gave special scrutiny to conservative groups, looking for tax- exempt status. About
It's one of the big scandals that's been plaguing President Obama's administration in recent weeks: news that the I-R-S gave special scrutiny to conservative groups, looking for tax- exempt status.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:59 GMT
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
