Rushville, Indiana – A 74-year-old substitute teacher’s aide at Rushville Elementary School has been arrested after allegedly striking a student with a flagpole, according to court records. The incident has sparked concern among parents and the school community, highlighting the importance of student safety in classrooms.
Charges Against Emily Hedrick
The aide, Emily Hedrick, is facing multiple charges, including:
- Battery on a person less than 14 years old, a Level 6 felony
- Disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor
Hedrick is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 12 at 1:15 p.m..
Incident Occurred During Music Class
Court documents indicate the incident took place on Nov. 12 while Hedrick was teaching a music class. Students were playing musical chairs when a three-foot aluminum flagpole fell to the floor. A student attempted to pick up the flagpole and hand it to Hedrick, but she allegedly pulled it from their hands and struck another student with it.
Hedrick is accused of grabbing a second student by the hair and their sweatshirt hood, striking them three times with the pole—twice on the back and once on the buttocks.
School Investigation and Student Accounts
The incident was reported to the school principal, who spoke with the student who was struck and four additional witnesses in the class. All students reportedly confirmed that Hedrick struck a student with the flagpole and pulled on their clothing.
One student said that Hedrick remarked, “this is my flagpole,” after taking it from a classmate’s hands.
Hedrick’s Statements to School and Police
When called into the principal’s office, Hedrick claimed a student had been swinging the flagpole, and she only took it to prevent chaos. She admitted to lightly poking a student on the bottom but denied grabbing students by their collars or hair.
During a police interview, Hedrick maintained that the classroom had been chaotic as students retrieved chairs for musical chairs, and she only took the flagpole directly from a student. She said she lightly poked one student on the buttocks and denied it caused harm. She also denied grabbing any students’ collars or hair, suggesting that other students may have caused the incident during the commotion.
Administrative Action
Following the incident, Hedrick was instructed to leave the school and was later informed that she would not be returning. The school confirmed that all students involved were interviewed, and the incident was reported to the local authorities.
Next Steps in Legal Process
Emily Hedrick was formally arrested and is awaiting her court appearance on Jan. 12 at 1:15 p.m. Court proceedings will determine whether the alleged actions constitute the Level 6 felony and misdemeanor charges she faces.
Community Response
The case has raised concerns about student safety and supervision in schools, with many parents and local residents closely following updates.
What measures do you think schools should take to prevent incidents like this? Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below.
