BLOOMINGTON — A special needs aide at Jackson Creek Middle School is facing a criminal charge for allegedly twisting the finger of a mentally disabled student and attempting to trip him several times.
Darren Eads, 33, of Bloomington, was arrested Monday. He is charged with battery to a mentally or physically disabled person, a Level 5 felony.
According to court documents, the investigation began on Jan. 30 after school administrators contacted police.
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The school’s principal said that on Jan. 28, a teacher reported Eads may have intentionally injured the 14-year-old boy.
Eads was a teacher’s aide for a special education teacher and had transferred to the middle school from Bloomington High School South about three months prior.
According to court documents, the class was seen on security video heading for recess. Eads and the boy were also in the hallway as students were leaving the building.
The boy, who court documents state normally walks with a walker, was seen in the footage without it.
Eads was walking directly behind the boy, who was instead using his hand on the wall to help him keep balance.
Court documents state security footage shows Eads trying to trip the boy twice, but the boy was able to keep his balance.
The boy was later in the hallway but at that point had his walker.
At one point, Eads was walking beside the boy and is seen twisting the boy’s hand, according to court documents.
The boy then began crying and the teacher came out into the hallway. Eads was reportedly trying to console the teen himself.
When the teacher asked the boy what happened, he replied nothing had happened. Eads reportedly told the teacher the boy “began crying for no reason.”
Police later spoke to the boy, who said “Mr. Darren had ‘pulled’ his finger,” and answered yes when the officer asked if it hurt.
In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Monroe County Community School Corporation wrote:
“Late on January 28, 2025, the MCCSC received an allegation against a classroom aide. The MCCSC immediately notified the Department of Child Services and placed the aide on leave pending investigation. On January 30, 2025, following its internal investigation, the MCCSC terminated the classroom aide’s employment. The MCCSC subsequently learned of the classroom aide’s arrest by its law enforcement partners.
The safety and security of our students is the highest priority to the MCCSC. The MCCSC continues to collaborate with law enforcement in its investigation.”
Eads bonded out of jail following his arrest. He has an initial hearing in court set for Friday.
According to online court records, Eads does not have any prior criminal charges.
