RIVER BEND TEACHER CHARGED WITH MALICIOUS PUNISHMENT

A teacher at the River Bend Education District in New Ulm is facing charges for allegedly using unreasonable force on a 6-year-old student at the school.  A criminal complaint filed in Brown County District Court accuses Stephanie Wurtzberger of Sleepy Eye of malicious punishment of a child after an incident in February.  The complaint says that police started to investigate after reviewing an email Wurtzberger sent on the day of the incident in which she wrote that the student threatened himself with an object and while she was taking it away, he hit his back on her knee and complained of pain.  Investigators confirm that Wurtzberger was not certified in Crisis Prevention Intervention at the time.  The complaint says the student told investigators that Wurtzberger grabbed his shirt, pulled him back, lowered him to the ground causing his back to hit her knee and then placing her knees on his back while he was on the ground.   At least two witnesses told investigators they thought Wurtzberger’s actions were intentional, aggressive and not a reasonable use of force.  Investigators contacted Wurtzberger but she allegedly declined to provide a statement without legal representation.  If she is convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3000 fine or both.  She has been summoned to appear in court.