Illinois School Bus Aide Arrested after Knocking out Two Teeth of Special Needs Student

A former Illinois school bus aide has been charged with hitting a boy with special needs, according to officials.

Jean M. Micklevitz, who worked for Burlington Central School District, allegedly struck the child and knocked out two of his teeth, Kane County State Attorney's Office said in a statement. The unnamed victim was under the age of 13.

On the morning of October 2, the 63-year-old of the 300 block of South Street in the village of Burlington was working on a bus for students with special needs. The child got on the bus and asked for a juice box. Micklevitz replied that food and drink were not allowed on the bus.

The child would then not move off the bus steps. Micklevitz is said to have then grabbed the child and tried to drag him to his seat on the vehicle. She then hit him in the face multiple times, causing his teeth to become dislodged.

The school district told CBS Chicago someone on the bus and the boy's mother reported the incident. The school aide and the bus driver, who was hired a month ago, were both suspended then fired.

Kane County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the incident.

On October 23, a county judge issued an arrest warrant for Micklevitz. Her bail was set at $30,000, and a 10 percent bond at $3,000. That afternoon, police arrested Micklevitz. She paid the bond and was released.

Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon charged Micklevitz with aggravated battery to a child, a Class 3 felony.

Micklevitz is due to appear in court on October 30, at Courtroom 217 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

If found guilty, Micklevitz must register as a violent offender against youth for 10 years. She could also be sentenced to between two to five years in prison at the Illinois Department of Corrections. Alternatively, she could be put on probation.

Kane County State's Attorney's Office said in a statement: "The charges against Micklevitz are not proof of guilt. Micklevitz is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

The school district told CBS Chicago Micklevitz had worked as a substitute bus aide for more than three years. Earlier this year, she retired after 36 years at the Burlington Community Fire Protection District, where she was rank captain.

The fire chief, who was unnamed, told CBS Chicago: "Anything that has gone on with Jean since then, we have nothing to do with that."