Batesville preschool supervisors didn't report a teacher throwing kids, police say
In February 2026 Batesville police opened an investigation after three Child Abuse Hotline reports about the Batesville School District preschool. Court documents describe January 2026 classroom video showing teacher Donna Januchowski, 69, grabbing and pulling children, holding three down next to a cot, covering a child's mouth and throwing another child to the floor. According to the affidavit, the school wrote her up the day of the incident, and two supervisors, Kristi Cox and Lorrie McClure, gave her action steps on Feb. 2 but never reported it to the hotline as mandated reporters. In June 2026 prosecutors charged Januchowski with misdemeanor first-degree assault and child endangerment, and Cox and McClure with misdemeanor failure to notify. The board put Superintendent Ginni McDonald on leave and later fired her; she is suing, saying she was fired without cause. The district said Januchowski no longer works there.
Another child is grabbed and then thrown to the floor by Januchowski.
Januchowski also allegedly put her leg on a 4-year-old to keep them on their cot.
Because the matter is now in the courts, the district said it will have no further comment on the case.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Is suing the district, saying she was never given the abuse evidence and was fired without cause.
Said the employee no longer works for the district and student and staff safety are its top priorities.
Not yet contacted for this story.
No outcome recorded yet.