A pre-kindergarten teacher in Illinois is facing a criminal charge after authorities allege she injured a 3-year-old child by dropping her to the ground.
Lisa Jacobs, 44, has been charged with one count of aggravated battery in connection with the alleged incident, according to charging documents filed in Madison County Third Judicial Court on Dec. 6, which were reviewed by PEOPLE.
Prosecutors allege Jacobs picked up the child, who is not named because she is a minor, and dropped her to the ground from five feet in the air, per the documents.
According to local news outlet KSDK, Jacobs was a pre-school teacher at St. Ambrose Catholic School in Godfrey, Ill.
Fr. Steven Janoski, the pastor of the church, noted that Jacobs was initially placed on administrative leave on Dec. 3 when school officials launched an investigation, and she resigned from her post the following day, the news outlet noted. The investigation was then forwarded to the Department of Children and Family Services and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Janoski said.
“Mr. Baird and I acted quickly and decisively when the situation was presented to us,” Janoski said in a letter sent to parishioners and school families, per KSDK.
“Our priority is the safety of our children and we will always do what is necessary to ensure that safety,” he added.
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In a motion for additional conditions of pre-trial release, authorities allege Jacobs had previously “threatened or perpetrated physical abuse” against the child. Further details were not shared by prosecutors.
Jacobs has since been released from custody, per the documents. She is barred from contacting with the alleged victim, caring for any children other than her own, or possessing a firearm.
It’s unclear if Jacobs has entered a plea. PEOPLE couldn’t immediately reach an attorney to speak on her behalf and contacted the Madison County public defender’s office for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
Charging documents show Jacobs is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 13.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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