Surveillance footage allegedly captured a Minnesota daycare worker grabbing a frightened 4-year-old by the shoulder, lifting him into the air while repeatedly smacking him in the face before leaving the child crying face-down on the floor, according to police.
Background
Aaron Jacob Bonnette, 29, worked as a teacher at New Horizon Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota. The alleged assault occurred on June 25, when surveillance video showed Bonnette approaching the young child, who appeared frightened, authorities said. According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime, police received a report about child abuse at the daycare facility on June 29, several days after the incident allegedly took place.
The boy's mother reported to police that her son came home with bruises on his face. When officers viewed the surveillance footage, they observed Bonnette allegedly grabbing the child by his shoulder with one hand and lifting him into the air while repeatedly striking him in the face with his other hand. After the alleged assault, Bonnette reportedly left the child crying on the floor in a face-down position. The boy's bruises remained visible five days later when police documented them on June 30.
The Investigation
New Horizon Academy employees who reviewed the video confirmed they had fired Bonnette and reported him to state licensing authorities, according to police. When investigators contacted the facility's director of licensing, officials said Bonnette provided an explanation for his actions—he claimed he had only "used a blanket to cover a child's mouth for spitting," the complaint stated.
Bonnette was arrested on July 1 and charged with malicious punishment of a child, a gross misdemeanor offense in Minnesota. After being booked into the Ramsey County Jail, he was released pending trial under court-ordered conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Aaron Jacob Bonnette, 29, worked as a teacher at New Horizon Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota
- The alleged assault was captured on surveillance video on June 25
- Police said Bonnette lifted the frightened child by his shoulder while repeatedly striking him in the face
- The boy was left crying face-down on the floor following the incident, according to authorities
- Bruises remained visible on the child's face five days after the alleged assault
- Bonnette claimed he used a blanket to cover a child's mouth for spitting
What's Next
Bonnette is next scheduled to appear in court on August 13. The case remains under investigation by St. Paul police, and prosecutors could potentially upgrade the charge depending on evidence presented at preliminary hearings.