Antioch teacher probe continues
By Frank Abderholden fabderholden@stmedianetwork.com November 27, 2012 7:42PM
Updated: December 29, 2012 6:13AM
ANTIOCH — An Antioch elementary school teacher remains on paid leave during an investigation into whether she bruised a student’s arm when she allegedly grabbed her during recess.
Vincent Bennett of Antioch said his daughter, Zsanette, 10, came home Nov. 14 and told him that a teacher had grabbed her arm while in line after recess and showed him two bruise marks and a scratch.
In her police report, the youngster said she was talking to a friend when teacher Jane Lindquist thought she was taking too long, grabbed her and allegedly pulled her “so hard she almost made me cry,” according to Bennett.
He said he called officials at Antioch Grade School District 34 immediately and was told Lindquist would be in the classroom the next day, something the school district said is false.
“That is untrue. That wasn’t the case,” said Mark Ostap, assistant superintendent.
“We are in the middle of an investigation and so is the police department,” he said.
“The investigation is ongoing.”
He added that anything involving the health of a student is always taken seriously and the case is “our highest priority.”
Antioch Police Chief Craig Somerville said authorities are conducting interviews with the teacher, victim and students who may have seen the incident on the playground at the school, 817 N. Main St., Antioch.
Bennett said that “regardless of the size of the bruises, at no time should a teacher ever put their hands on a child. You figure teachers nowadays would use common sense and know better.”
