KANSAS, Ohio — Dana Ward, the principal of Lakota Elementary School in the Lakota Local School District, has been charged with assaulting a 5-year-old kindergarten student. The alleged incident reportedly occurred on May 8, according to authorities.
The Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office reviewed school surveillance footage that appears to show Ward hitting the child on the chin with the back of her hand, causing the student to cry. The video also shows Ward escorting the child to dismissal, then forcefully pushing him toward a book display and sitting him down.
Details surrounding what led to the alleged assault remain unclear. Ward reportedly informed the child’s mother that the boy would not be allowed to attend school the following day. The mother stated she would not send her child back until she felt confident the school environment was safe.
In response to the allegations, Lakota Local Schools Superintendent Chad Coffman issued a statement emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety. “The safety and well-being of our students at Lakota Local Schools is our highest priority. We take allegations of any conduct that is not consistent with this priority extremely seriously,” Coffman said. The school district placed Ward on administrative leave pending the outcome of court proceedings and said it is cooperating fully with authorities.
Ward was officially charged with one count of assault on May 23. She pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 18. Efforts to reach Ward’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful.
Authorities released the surveillance footage on June 5, showing the interaction between Ward and the student.