A 350-pound Minnesota teacher has been arrested after allegedly standing on a sixth grader’s back during a school safety drill, leaving the child in so much pain that he had to be taken to the hospital.
Jason Rogers was charged after allegedly stepping on the child’s back. Credit: Underwood School District
Jason Rogers, 48, has been charged with one gross misdemeanor count of malicious punishment of a child after admitting he stepped on a student at Underwood School last month.
The shocking incident came to light after the injured student had to be treated at a hospital. According to the criminal complaint filed March 11, the boy’s mom said her son was in so much agony afterward that he “was walking around like an 80-year-old from the pain in his back,” Law and Crime reported.
The child told investigators he had chosen to lie on his stomach instead of sitting during the drill when Rogers allegedly walked over and stood on him.
“(The child) did not know why Defendant did this because he did not hear him say anything about it and just stepped on him like he was a ‘stepping stool,” the criminal complaint said. “He stated the entire class saw it and thought Defendant had broken (the boy’s) back.”
The boy said the teacher stayed on top of him for about 10 seconds, causing him to cry out in pain.
The shocking incident took place during a school drill. Credit: AJ_Watt / Getty
When questioned by police, Rogers reportedly admitted to stepping on the child and said he weighed approximately 350 pounds.
He told authorities he felt the students weren’t taking the drill seriously and that several were lying on their stomachs instead of sitting upright.
Rogers said he warned the class that he “could step on them in their current position” before allegedly placing his foot on the boy’s lower back and putting his weight on him, per the complaint cited by The New York Post.
After hearing the child say “ouch,” Rogers said he asked if the student was OK.
He also admitted to stepping on two other students during the same drill, authorities said.
The injured student had to be treated at a hospital. Credit: Tempura / Getty
The Underwood Public Schools district has since placed Rogers on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues.
Underwood School District Superintendent Jeff Wilson added via email that he was unable to provide additional details, citing the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
Roger is due in court on April 8 for an initial appearance. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail or be charged $3,000.
