Charges: Video captured former New Horizon Academy teacher repeatedly striking ‘frightened’ child

A former New Horizon Academy teacher is facing charges for allegedly striking a 4-year-old child numerous times during one instance last month.

Aaron Jacob Bonnette, 29, of Woodbury was charged on July 1 with one count of malicious punishment of a child.

St. Paul police began investigating on June 29 after taking a report of abuse that happened at the school’s Lower Afton Road location four days earlier, according to the complaint.

Court documents state that the child’s mother told law enforcement her 4-year-old son had come home on June 25 with bruises on his face from Bonnette, who had since been fired.

New Horizon Academy officials told law enforcement that surveillance video captured Bonnette approaching the child. The complaint states that the child is crying and appears “frightened,” and the video shows him running away and holding his hands to his face.

Bonnette is then seen on video grabbing the child’s shoulder with one hand, lifting him into the air and repeatedly smacking him in the face with his other hand before releasing him, walking away and leaving the child face-down on the floor, crying, the complaint adds..

The licensing director at New Horizon Academy told police she spoke with Bonnette the day after the incident, and he claimed to have used a blanket to cover the child’s mouth for spitting.

New Horizon Academy told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that Bonnette was fired immediately after the incident was identified and reported. The full statement from the school is below.

“Safety is our number-one priority. This employee grossly violated our safety standards and did not comply with our strict professional protocols.

“The incident was immediately identified, reported, and the employee was removed and terminated.

“We worked closely with the family to address their concerns and stabilize the situation for them and their child, who remains at our school.

“This person was hired based on his years of experience working with children in public and private schools and background as a teacher, athletic instructor, mentor, coach, and volunteer with various children’s organizations. He passed our stringent recruitment, hiring, and training processes. Despite this, he broke the law and his actions do not represent our school and the greater community of childcare providers.“

Bonnette is due back in court Aug. 13 for an omnibus hearing.
The post Charges: Video captured former New Horizon Academy teacher repeatedly striking ‘frightened’ child first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.