School officer pleads not guilty to slapping, kicking teen

FILE _ This undated file photo provided by the Baltimore Police shows Anthony Spence. Spence, a Baltimore school police officer caught on video slapping and kicking a teen at a school while another officer stood by, pleaded not guilty Thursday, April 7, 2016, to misdemeanor charges of assault and misconduct. (Baltimore Police via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE _ This undated file photo provided by the Baltimore Police shows Saverna Bias. Bias and Anthony Spence, two Baltimore schools police officers, were charged after cellphone video surfaced showing one of them slapping and kicking a teen at a school. Bias on Thursday, April 7, 2016, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault and misconduct. (Baltimore Police via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

A Baltimore school police officer caught on video slapping and kicking a teen at a school while another officer stood by has pleaded not guilty.

News media outlets report that Anthony Spence and fellow school police officer Saverna Bias both entered the plea on Thursday to the misdemeanor charges of assault and misconduct.

Spence was originally charged with second-degree child abuse, but the state's attorney's office said in a statement that it was deemed inappropriate since the officers didn't have temporary custody of the teen.

According to a police charging statement, a witness to the March 1 encounter said Bias told Spence to hit the youth, and Spence then hit and kicked the teen.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Spence's attorney, Warren Brown, says the student spat on Spence.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/school-officer-pleads-not-guilty-to-slapping-kicking-teen