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Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Castle Daycare Teacher Charged with Felony After Allegedly Throwing Child During Naptime
A teacher at a daycare center in New Castle, Indiana is facing felony charges after being accused of throwing a child onto a cot in an attempt to “take control” during naptime. Kara C. Kriesel, a 49-year-old resident of New Castle, was charged this week in Henry County Court with one count of battery on a person less than 14 years old, a level 6 felony.
The incident in question occurred in September 2023 at Agape Learning Center, where Kriesel worked as a teacher. According to court documents, Kriesel allegedly grabbed a young student by the arms, lifted them up, yelled at them, and threw them down onto a cot out of frustration with the child’s behavior.
The investigation into Kriesel began on September 14 when Indiana State Police were contacted by a family member of the victim. The complainant reported that the child had a bruised forearm after an interaction with Kriesel two days prior. They also provided police with photos of the child’s injuries and the names of witnesses who could corroborate the incident.
The complainant expressed dissatisfaction with the school’s response, stating that Kriesel had only been suspended for two days as a result of an internal investigation. They had also contacted the Department of Child Services but were unsure if the school had done the same.
Witnesses interviewed by ISP described Kriesel as a “rough teacher” who always exerted force. While they couldn’t confirm if the child was injured during the incident, they claimed that Kriesel always had a tight grip on the students.
Through their investigation, ISP reconstructed the events that took place in the classroom. According to Kriesel, she was called into the room by another teacher who was visibly upset and struggling to get the children to settle down for naptime. Kriesel claimed that she intervened to “take control” of the situation.
Witnesses and the victim’s family stated that one child was moving around on their cot, which led Kriesel to grab the student and question their behavior. Kriesel is then accused of forcefully throwing the child onto the cot. One witness reported that Kriesel showed little remorse following the incident, describing how she threw a blanket onto the child as if they were a lifeless body.
The witness also mentioned filing an incident report with the school, but was uncertain if the Department of Child Services had been notified. ISP later spoke with a school official who provided them with a copy of the incident report and access to the classroom where the incident occurred.
During an interview at her home, Kriesel admitted to ISP that she was not in the right mindset and that she was frustrated with the unruly behavior of the students in the room. She claimed that her actions towards the child were a moment of frustration but denied throwing the child. Instead, she stated that she “pushed” the child towards the cot, describing it as a nudge.
Despite Kriesel’s denial, ISP determined that there was enough evidence to charge her with felony battery on a person less than 14 years old. They subsequently requested that the Henry County Prosecutor’s Office pursue charges against her.
A warrant for Kriesel’s arrest was issued on November 14, but no mugshot or booking photo of the suspect is currently available. The case will now proceed through the court system, where Kriesel will have the opportunity to present her defense.
This incident raises concerns about the safety and care provided at Agape Learning Center. The daycare center should ensure that all staff members are thoroughly trained in appropriate behavior management techniques and that proper protocols are in place to handle incidents of this nature. The well-being of the children in their care should always be the utmost priority.
As the legal process unfolds, the community will be watching closely to see that justice is served and that measures are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future..
