Substitute teacher arrested in scuffle with student

Jeffrey Spence, 52, was arrested Wednesday on one count of child abuse and one count of school disturbance.

A 13-year-old student at Traner Middle School in Sparks said Spence pushed him against the wall in a school hallway after the student had been involved with a scuffle with a friend.

Washoe County Schools spokesman Steve Mulvenon said two adults allegedly witnessed the incident.

Because Spence was the boy's teacher, he is considered a caregiver and subject to the child abuse charge.

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