A Batesville preschool teacher is facing six criminal charges after surveillance footage allegedly shows her physically assaulting three children in her classroom — and two school administrators face charges of their own for failing to report what they saw to state authorities.
Donna H. Januchowski, 68, a teacher at Batesville Preschool on Vine Street, was charged with three counts of first-degree assault and three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, both class A misdemeanors, following an investigation by Batesville police.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident occurred Jan. 23 and was recorded on classroom video with audio. The affidavit states the footage shows Januchowski grabbing three children — ages four and five — by their shirts and pulling them around the room before forcing them onto the floor near their rest mats.
At one point, investigators say, Januchowski placed her leg across the back of a child’s neck while he lay face-down on his mat, then pushed his face back down when he attempted to lift his head. In another portion of the video, she is seen holding her hand over another child’s mouth and shaking him. A third child was allegedly grabbed and thrown to the floor.
The investigation began Feb. 4, when a State of Arkansas Licensing Investigator — who had reviewed the classroom footage — called the state child abuse hotline. A second report came in later the same day for a second child, and a third report was received Feb. 5 for a third child.
One child was subsequently interviewed at the Crimes Against Children office and disclosed that Januchowski had held him down and placed her leg on him to keep him on his cot, according to the affidavit. A second child was also interviewed, but did not disclose.
Investigators obtained the school’s video through a search warrant served Feb. 9.
Lorrie Mae McClure, 52, and Kristi Elizabeth Cox, 56, each face three counts of failure to notify as a mandated reporter in the first degree, also a class A misdemeanor.
According to the affidavit, both women reviewed the classroom footage on the day of the incident, met with Januchowski at 3:45 p.m. that afternoon, and had her sign an internal “Employee Incident Documentation” form. That form — which both Cox and McClure also signed, on Feb. 2 — documented concerns including Januchowski physically restraining children, yelling at students, and telling children they were “bad” and “need a spanking.”
Despite documenting the incident and acknowledging that what was seen on camera was not consistent with appropriate teaching methods, neither McClure nor Cox reported the incident to the child abuse hotline, as Arkansas law requires of mandated reporters.
Januchowski’s disciplinary form also noted that she had not called for assistance when students became uncontrollable and had appeared to use a personal cell phone to video students.
All three women face class A misdemeanor charges. A bond for Januchowski was set at $1,000. Cox and McClure were ordered to be released on their own recognizance.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Lorrie Mae McClure as director of Batesville Preschool. The story has been updated to remove that characterization. McClure’s and Cox’s specific titles were not specified in the charging documents.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch NBC News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
