Underwood teacher charged with malicious punishment of child
Jason Rogers is due in court on April 8 for an initial appearance.
UNDERWOOD, Minn. (Valley News Live) - An Underwood, Minnesota teacher is facing charges after deputies were called to an area hospital for a report of an assault.
Jason Rogers is charged with one count of malicious punishment of a child. He faces one year in prison if convicted. School leaders say Rogers is currently on administrative leave from his position.
Deputies were called to Lake Region Hospital in early February for a report of an assault that occurred at the Underwood School in Otter Tail County.
A sixth-grade student reported he was laying on his stomach during a lockdown drill when his teacher, Rogers, stepped on his back with both feet.
Court records indicate Rogers weighs more than 350 pounds.
Deputies went to the school the following day, and Rogers told them students were to sit against a wall for the lockdown drill.
However, some students laid down on their stomach. According to court records, Rogers said he told the students he could step on them in their current position and they needed to take it seriously.
Rogers said he placed his foot on the kid’s lower back and stepped on him. He said he heard the kid yell and got off to ask if he was ok, according to court papers.
Court documents say Rogers later admitted to stepping on two other students.
He’s due in court on April 8, 2025 for an initial appearance.
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