Judge OKs charge against Indiana teacher Mike Hosinski; student's nose and lip were bloody
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story had a headline that misstated the status of charges in the case. A judge ruled that probable cause existed to charge teacher Mike Hosinski with battery against a student. The story also incorrectly said the judge approved a felony charge. Though the sheriff's department recommended a felony charge, the judge approved only a misdemeanor. The Tribune regrets the errors.
ELKHART — Former Jimtown High School teacher Mike Hosinski's actions last week left a student with throbbing pain, a bloody nose and a bloody lip, according to an Elkhart County investigation.
A judge has found there is probable cause to charge Hosinski, who was arrested Thursday, with battery causing injury, a Class A misdemeanor. The sheriff's department had sent the report to the judge recommending a Level 6 felony charge for causing moderate injury to the boy, but the judge downgraded the charge allowed.
In court documents filed Friday, officials describe their investigation of the incident during which Hosinski was captured on video grabbing a student by his backpack, forcing him into a wall and striking him across the face.
Investigators were called to the school by Jimtown principal Timothy Pletcher, who reported a teacher had battered a student last Friday, Feb. 25, according to records.
The student told a responding officer his teacher, Hosinski, followed him down a school hallway after he asked the student to leave his classroom. The student said Hosinski grabbed his bookbag, then hit him across the face with an open hand causing his head to strike the wall behind him.
What we know: About Jimtown High School, Mike Hosinski incident
The boy told the officer the impact caused him "throbbing" pain in his head along with a bloody nose and lip. The officer, according to records, observed an abrasion and lump on the student's head, as well as an abrasion in his mouth.
The student was further interviewed Monday at the Child and Family Advocacy Center in Elkhart, according to records.
School leaders last week said they reported the incident to local law enforcement, the Indiana Department of Child Services and licensing officials with the Indiana Department of Education.
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The Baugo Community Schools board, which oversees Jimtown High School, on Monday granted Hosinski's request for an immediate retirement. The teacher had previously planned to retire at the end of the school year.
Court records show Hosinski was released after his Thursday arrest on a $1,500 bond. An initial hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 10.
Email South Bend Tribune education reporter Carley Lanich at clanich@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @carleylanich.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Judge finds cause to charge Indiana teacher Mike Hosinski with battery
