A Sashabaw Middle School teacher has been charged with assault and battery against a 10-year-old student.
Sandra Lee Blomquist, 40, of Auburn Hills, was arraigned on Monday before 52-2 District Court Magistrate Colleen Murphy, and was released on $5,000 personal bond, according to Lt. Dale LaBair, commander of the Independence Township substation of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
A date for a court hearing was not immediately available.
Investigators had been awaiting approval of formal charges by the county prosecutor’s office since a Nov. 9 incident at the school.
According to sheriff reports, Blomquist approached several students in the hallway, grabbed the 10-year-old boy with both hands on his shoulders, then put her forearm on his chest and shoved him into a set of lockers.
There was no clear provocation to justify the action, reports said, and the mother later reported taking the boy to a doctor after he complained of pain in his back.
Anita Banach, director of marketing and communication for Clarkston Community Schools, said Blomquist was removed from the classroom as soon as administrators heard about the incident. A Clarkston teacher since 1993, Blomquist remains on paid administrative leave under terms of the teachers? union contract, Banach said.
‘We’re working cooperatively with law enforcement to make sure they have every piece of information they need,? Banach said. ‘Clarkston Community Schools have zero tolerance for any behavior not in the best interests of our students.?
Superintendent Al Roberts echoed the sentiment.
‘If the charges are proven to be true, there is no place on our staff for a teacher who assaults students,? Dr. Roberts said.
The assault and battery charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.