Teacher facing charges admits to stepping on students’ backs during lockdown drill, court documents say

UNDERWOOD, Minn. (KVLY/Gray News) – A teacher in Minnesota is facing charges after deputies were called to a hospital in the area for reports of an assault.

Jason Rogers is charged with one count of malicious punishment of a child, and school leaders said he is currently on administrative leave from his position.

According to authorities, a sixth-grade student at the Underwood School in Otter Tail County reported he was lying on his stomach during a lockdown drill when his teacher, Rogers, stepped on his back with both feet.

Court records indicate Rogers weighs more than 350 pounds.

Deputies went to the school the following day, and Rogers told them students were to sit against a wall for the lockdown drill.

Some students didn’t follow directions, however, and laid down on their stomachs.

According to court records, Rogers said he told the students he could step on them in their current position and they needed to take it seriously.

Rogers said he placed his foot on the kid’s lower back and stepped on him. He said he heard the kid yell and got off to ask if he was ok, according to court papers.

Court documents say Rogers later admitted to stepping on two other students.