19-year-old teacher's aide accused of hurting elementary school children in southern Indiana

Sammi Clark, a 19-year-old former teacher's aide from Madison, Indiana, has been arrested and charged with six counts of battery against minors under the age of 14 after a lengthy investigation involving Ryker's Ridge Elementary School. The investigation was initiated by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on February 28, following reports of possible abuse at the school.

The allegations against Clark date back to September, when a 5-year-old student informed their preschool teacher that Clark had aggressively squeezed their arms. The teacher observed red handprints on the child's skin, prompting further scrutiny of Clark's interactions with students. Multiple incidents were reported by a teacher's aide, highlighting troubling behavior, including physical aggression toward several young children.

According to the affidavit, the aide witnessed Clark throwing a 3-year-old onto a cot and shaking another child violently. There were also instances where Clark reportedly slammed a child's arms onto a table and yelled directly in their face. These reported behaviors caused serious concern regarding Clark's conduct in the classroom, especially towards children expressing distress or behavioral issues.

The aide’s testimonies outlined repetitive aggression, including pulling children backward and yelling at them when they did not comply with requests, such as taking naps. Both the teacher's aide and the preschool teacher relayed their observations to the school's principal, leading to the formal investigation into Clark's actions.

Clark is currently facing serious legal consequences, and her next court appearance is scheduled for April 7. The situation has raised significant concerns within the school community regarding the safety and well-being of young students.