BEECH GROVE — A Beech Grove woman has been criminally charged after her daughter's teacher witnessed welts and bruising on the girl, according to court documents.
The mother is charged with Battery Resulting Bodily Injury when the Person is Under 14 years old.
According to court documents, the woman's daughter was in school at a local elementary school when she approached her teacher about "scratches" on her leg. The teacher witnessed multiple welts on the girl's leg along with the scratch.
The girl told the school counselor and school resource officer she had been hit with an extension cord after missing the bus that morning, according to court documents.
The girl was then transported to Riley Hospital for evaluation, after the Department of Child Services was called.
In investigating, detectives spoke with the girl's older brother. The boy confirmed the girl had been in trouble for missing the bus that morning and there is a history of them being spanked with belts, extension cords, phone cords, hands and slippers.
At Riley Hospital, DCS and the school resource officer made contact with the mother. She acknowledged "whooped her with a belt" and this is a common form of discipline in her household.
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Beech Grove City Schools superintendent Dr. Laura Hammack said the following after the investigation:
"As mandated reporters, all employees of Beech Grove City Schools receive comprehensive training in recognizing and reporting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, and we take our responsibility to protect them very seriously.
We commend the reporting staff member for their swift action in advocating for the student's safety by reporting the suspected abuse. Their dedication to the welfare of our students is a testament to the values we uphold within our school community."
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Child advocates are applauding the efforts of a teacher and guidance counselor who reported the alleged abuse.
“They trust that all those individuals are going to have their kids best interests at heart,” shared Indiana School Resource Officers Association President Julie Q Smith. “That includes when a kid reports something, that we do something about it.”
Jeff Wittman is the President of Prevent Child Abuse Indiana. He shared with WRTV the importance on all adults to take action if they feel a child is in danger.
“Don't pass the ball on to someone else and expect that someone else is going to make that call,” Wittman said. “If you become aware of a situation where a child is in danger. It is your responsibility to ensure that either their correct authorities are contacted or you do that yourself.”
If you have been a witness to suspected child abuse or neglect, you could face a misdemeanor charge for failing to report it.
To make that report you can call the Department of Child Services at 1(800)800-5556 or if is an emergency dial 911.
