DELTONA, Fla. — The parents of a Volusia County middle school student were arrested Tuesday morning after investigators accused them of attacking a school resource deputy.

What You Need To Know

  • Two Volusia County parents were arrested Tuesday after allegedly attacking a school resource deputy at their son's middle school

  • Identified as 45-year-old Dagmarie Aponte Iturrino and 46-year-old Jorge Rivera, the two are facing numerous charges in connection with the incident

  • Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood praised the deputy for her "calm, effective response to a violent attack"

According to information from Sheriff Mike Chitwood, the parents — identified as 45-year-old Dagmarie Aponte Iturrino and 46-year-old Jorge Rivera — had come to Deltona Middle School to protest a battery charge filed against their son, who had been accused of shoving a girl at school the previous day.

"When Jorge didn't like the outcome of the meeting, he became irate, started screaming at the deputy and was asked to leave," Chitwood said in a Facebook post.

"In the hallway, Dagmarie pushed the deputy against a wall; then Jorge punched the deputy in the head, knocked her to the ground, and ripped her Taser from her hand," the post continued.

The deputy ultimately pulled her firearm on the pair and was able to take them into custody.

Both parents are facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, disrupting a school function and trespassing on school property after a warning. Rivera is facing additional charges of robbery with a weapon, grand theft and assault or battery on specified officials or employees.

"A hate crime enhancement was added to some of Jorge's charges due to a derogatory slur he called the deputy just prior to attacking her," Chitwood said in his Facebook post. "The couple's son was present for the entire incident."

The deputy — who was not identified — was treated at the school and then at an area hospital for concussion symptoms, the statement said.

While praising the deputy's "calm, effective response to a violent attack," Chitwood went on to say that he believes the incident was just a symptom of a larger problem.

"If you're wondering why some kids show no fear of consequences in today's society, look no further than these parents as Exhibit A," he said. "I'm glad they're locked up, and I look forward to them being held fully accountable for this blatant attack on our deputy who was just doing her job."