UNDERWOOD, Minn. — A northwestern Minnesota teacher is facing charges after the 350-pound man allegedly stepped on the back of a sixth-grade student during a lockdown drill.

Jason Rogers, a sixth-grade teacher in the Underwood School District, was charged with malicious punishment of a child, according to court documents. Underwood, in Otter Tail County, is about 11 miles east of Fergus Falls.

A complaint filed March 11 says that Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Lake Region Hospital for a report of an assault at the Underwood School on Feb. 10. There, a male sixth-grade student reported that during a lockdown drill at school earlier that day, he was lying on his stomach when Rogers stepped on his back with both feet for approximately 10 seconds, court documents said.

The next day, a detective spoke with Rogers and other students. Rogers said students were instructed to sit down against a wall during the lockdown drill, court documents said. Two students lay on their stomachs next to the door.

Rogers told the detective he told the students lying by the door that he could step on them in their current position and didn’t feel students were taking the drill seriously. According to court documents, Rogers said he stepped on the lower back of the student and heard the student groan, say “ouch” and begin to cry. He then took his foot off the student and asked if he was OK.

Court documents said Rogers was concerned when he got an email the next day excusing the student from school for the rest of the week.

The detective talked with another student who said they saw Rogers step on the student with both feet. Rogers then said he might have stepped on the student with both feet. He admitted to stepping on two other students, one with both feet and another while walking over him, court documents said.

Rogers weighs 350 or more pounds, the court documents said, while the student is considered a healthy sixth-grader.

Malicious punishment of a child is a gross misdemeanor. If convicted, Rogers could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail or be charged $3,000.

Rogers has a court hearing on April 8.

In an email, Underwood School District Superintendent Jeff Wilson said Rogers is on administrative leave from his position as a sixth-grade teacher. He said he was unable to provide additional details, citing the Minnesota Data Practices Act.

Related Articles

State review faults Red Wing youth correctional facility in 16-year-old’s October suicide

Bird flu detected in a Minnesota dairy herd for the first time this year

USDA food aid cuts impact Minnesota schools, child care centers

Letters: Maybe Minnesota should become Canada’s 11th province

Feds want Justin Eichorn to remain in custody after he allegedly lied about gun, sought to conceal evidence