A teacher’s aide is facing a felony battery charge after allegedly harming a special needs student at a Monroe County Community School Corp. (MCCSC) middle school.
The case charging a teacher’s aide with battering a 14-year-old student was reported to the Bloomington Police Department Jan. 30.
The suspect, 33-year-old Darren Eads, transferred to Jackson Creek Middle School from Bloomington High School South a few months ago.
Surveillance video reviewed by a BPD detective shows Eads twisting the student’s hand, making him cry.
Shortly before this incident, it also showed Eads move to trip the student twice while the student wasn’t using his walker.
Another aide came to see what happened, and Eads said the student was crying for no reason, according to the court documents.
The student told the detective that Eads pulled his finger, and said it hurt.
MCCSC said it immediately notified DCS after the incident. MCCSC initially placed Eads on leave, later firing him following an internal investigation and his subsequent arrest.
Eads was arrested Monday and has since paid the $5,500 bail fees.
MCCSC sent an email to parents Thursday afternoon, which said it’s “deeply heartbroken that this incident occurred.”
“The safety and security of our students is the highest priority to the MCCSC. The MCCSC continues to collaborate with law enforcement in its investigation,” MCCSC communications director Sarah DeWeese provided in a statement.
