Child abuse charge dropped against Marionville teacher

Criminal charges have been dismissed against a southwest Missouri teacher who was accused of hurting a 4-year-old boy on a playground. The Springfield News-Leader reports that attorney Stacie Bilyeu says Marionville teacher Kimberly Daniels, of Clever, is “feeling vindicated” after charges of child abuse and hindering prosecution were dropped following a preliminary hearing Monday. Daniels has been on paid administrative leave following a June 6 incident in which she took the 4-year-old by the arm and led him away from a kickball game.

——ORGINIAL STORY FROM OCTOBER 2——

A southwest Missouri teacher has been charged with pulling a 4-year-old boy off the ground with so much force that it left bruises.

Forty-two-year-old Kimberly Daniels, of Clever, was arrested last week and charged with child abuse and hindering prosecution. She is free on bond and has been placed on paid leave.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the boy, in just his eighth day of school, was on the playground of the Marionville school district with his older sister for the first time in June and started crying because he wanted to stay with her and not go to the outfield as directed by Daniels. Three children told authorities that Daniels grabbed the boy by his upper arm and dragged him.

Court records say Daniels initially told a deputy that the boy was hitting other children and she intervened when he refused to stop.