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Inset: Cherie S. Hofmann (Harrison County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Corydon Central High School in Indiana (Facebook).
An Indiana science teacher, aged 57, faced arrest after she allegedly assaulted a student over a spilled water incident and expressed a desire to harm another student, reportedly wishing she could shoot him in the head.
Cherie Hofmann was apprehended last month, with charges including one count of battery causing bodily harm and two counts of intimidation linked to retaliation for a previous legal act, according to court documentation.
The alleged confrontation occurred on October 22 at Corydon Central High School, located approximately 125 miles south of Indianapolis, as reported by police.
In an official statement, the school district confirmed that the teacher had been placed on leave, adhering to standard procedures while the investigation is conducted.
“Following the completion of the investigation, necessary disciplinary actions will be implemented based on the findings. We recognize the seriousness of this situation and wish to reassure you that such allegations are treated with utmost seriousness,” stated the district. “While we cannot provide further specifics at this moment, please be assured that the matter is receiving the appropriate attention and our full cooperation.”
While the school has remained tight-lipped about the situation, a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Madison Courier provided additional details about the alleged events that led to her arrest.
According to the report, the victim told the school resource officer for South Harrison Schools that he was sitting in his assigned seat on Oct. 22 when he accidentally knocked over a bottle and “spilled a little water” on the adjoining table next to his.
Hofmann was reportedly standing behind him and to the right at the time. The student claimed she responded by striking him on the right side of his head with an open hand and saying, “Don’t spill water on my tables.”
Police said at least two other students corroborated seeing Hofmann slap the student and telling him not to spill water. The victim said the slap stung for a short while before the pain subsided.
In the course of the investigation, police reportedly learned about two additional incidents in which Hofmann allegedly threatened students.
In one instance, a female student reported that Hofmann threatened to slap her, the Courier reported. The female student also claimed to have witnessed Hofmann say something to a third student about “shooting him in the head.”
The third alleged victim confirmed the “shooting” comment to investigators, reportedly telling them Hofmann “must’ve had a bad day” because she responded to one of his questions by looking directly at him and stating, “I wish I could shoot you in the head.”
The student told police he asked Hofmann to repeat what she had just said and, rather than repeating the comment, she claimed to have misspoken, telling him, “I meant, I wish I could shoot myself in the head.”
After waiving her Miranda rights, Hofmann allegedly denied slapping a student, telling police she merely “gently patted” him on the head with her fingertips while telling him not to spill water. She also denied threatening to slap or shoot anyone.
Regarding the alleged “shooting” threat, Hofmann reportedly emphasized that she was a licensed firearm instructor to support the assertion that she would never make such a statement.
“I might think it, but would never say it,” she allegedly told investigators.
Hofmann appeared in court last week and was released on her own recognizance. She is currently prohibited from having contact with any of the victims and is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference on Nov. 20, records show.