Washington Irving School 14 (Google Maps).
A 28-year-old special education teacher in Indiana is accused of repeatedly abusing elementary school students with disabilities, allegedly laughing at a child he intentionally tripped and confining kids in the classroom closet as a form of punishment.
Hunter Sesemann was indicted by a Marion County grand jury on nine battery counts involving three children at Washington Irving Neighborhood School 14 in Indianapolis. Sesemann is facing three counts each of battery, battery against a person younger than 14, and battery against a person with a disability, court records show.
Court documents state that Sesemann engaged in a "pattern of abuse and misconduct" toward the minor students, who were 5 or 6 years old, local Fox affiliate WXIN reported.
Attorneys representing the victims have announced plans to file lawsuits against Sesemann and potentially school officials regarding the treatment of the students. who were in kindergarten at the time, and the steps taken to protect them.
A tort claim notice described an alleged Sept. 29, 2025, incident in which Sesemann "intentionally extended his leg into the path of the minor child," causing the 5-year-old boy to "fall violently to the floor," according to reporting from local NBC affiliate WTHR. The claim reportedly says Sesemann "laughed" as the child hit the floor, then grabbed him by the ankle and "proceeded to drag the child along the hallway floor."
The notice also alleges that on Oct. 4, 2025, Sesemann repeatedly snapped a hair tie against the top of the boy's head. When a registered behavior technician stepped in, Sesemann allegedly snapped the tie against her hand and said, "Then I will do it to you, you f—ing loser."
The filings describe another alleged incident in which Sesemann picked up a student and dropped him on the floor before putting the child inside the classroom closet. Sesemann allegedly used the closet to confine students as a "disciplinary measure" on several occasions, WXIN reported.
The civil claim against Sesemann asserts that on Oct. 6, 2025, he pushed a boy hard enough to make him fall.
WXIN reported that another student allegedly dislocated his elbow after falling while walking next to Sesemann. The notice says a colleague later reported witnessing the incident and referred to Sesemann's behavior as "aggressive."
The victims' attorneys say the families deserve answers.
"The allegations in the indictment are deeply troubling because they involve young children with disabilities who depended on the adults in their classroom to keep them safe," said attorney Tammy Meyer, who is representing the victims. "Parents send their children to school trusting that educators will protect them, especially when those children may have difficulty communicating what is happening to them. That trust is fundamental, and allegations that it was violated demand serious scrutiny."
Attorney Catherine Michael also represents the victims.
"Criminal charges are an important step toward accountability, but they do not resolve the broader questions about how these children were treated or whether those responsible for their safety took appropriate action," Michael said in a statement. "Our clients and their families deserve answers about what happened inside that school, what school officials knew, and what could have been done to prevent the harm."
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) said Sesemann worked for the district from July 17, 2023, through Nov. 14, 2025, according to the Indianapolis Star. A district spokesperson said he was removed from the classroom when officials learned of allegations involving students and that IPS police and the Department of Child Services were notified. The district declined further comment, citing potential litigation and student privacy.
Sesemann was also working in a student-support role at St. Matthew Catholic School when the indictment became public. The school said it placed him on administrative leave after learning of the charges and that all required background checks had been completed before he was hired.
It was not immediately clear when Sesemann was scheduled to appear in court.
Follow Law&Crime:
Comments