Inset: Cherie S. Hofmann (Harrison County Sheriff’s Office). Background: Corydon Central High School in Indiana (Facebook).
An Indiana educator, aged 57, finds herself embroiled in legal trouble after accusations arose that she assaulted a student for accidentally spilling water on his desk. Additionally, she allegedly expressed a desire to harm another student by saying she wished to shoot him in the head.
Court documents reveal that Cherie Hofmann was apprehended last month, facing charges of battery causing bodily injury and two counts of intimidation in retaliation for a lawful act.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 22 at Corydon Central High School, situated approximately 125 miles south of Indianapolis, according to police reports.
The school district has responded by placing Hofmann on leave, adhering to their standard procedures while the investigation is ongoing. In an official statement, they assured the public that any necessary actions will be taken in line with the investigation’s outcome. They emphasized the gravity with which they treat such allegations and confirmed their full cooperation with the authorities.
While the school district has refrained from disclosing further information, the Madison Courier has obtained a probable cause affidavit that sheds more light on the events leading to Hofmann’s arrest. The affidavit outlines the circumstances and specifics of the allegations against her.
While the school has remained tight-lipped about the situation, a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Madison Courier provided additional details about the alleged events that led to her arrest.
According to the report, the victim told the school resource officer for South Harrison Schools that he was sitting in his assigned seat on Oct. 22 when he accidentally knocked over a bottle and “spilled a little water” on the adjoining table next to his.
Hofmann was reportedly standing behind him and to the right at the time. The student claimed she responded by striking him on the right side of his head with an open hand and saying, “Don’t spill water on my tables.”
Police said at least two other students corroborated seeing Hofmann slap the student and telling him not to spill water. The victim said the slap stung for a short while before the pain subsided.
In the course of the investigation, police reportedly learned about two additional incidents in which Hofmann allegedly threatened students.
In one instance, a female student reported that Hofmann threatened to slap her, the Courier reported. The female student also claimed to have witnessed Hofmann say something to a third student about “shooting him in the head.”
The third alleged victim confirmed the “shooting” comment to investigators, reportedly telling them Hofmann “must’ve had a bad day” because she responded to one of his questions by looking directly at him and stating, “I wish I could shoot you in the head.”
The student told police he asked Hofmann to repeat what she had just said and, rather than repeating the comment, she claimed to have misspoken, telling him, “I meant, I wish I could shoot myself in the head.”
After waiving her Miranda rights, Hofmann allegedly denied slapping a student, telling police she merely “gently patted” him on the head with her fingertips while telling him not to spill water. She also denied threatening to slap or shoot anyone.
Regarding the alleged “shooting” threat, Hofmann reportedly emphasized that she was a licensed firearm instructor to support the assertion that she would never make such a statement.
“I might think it, but would never say it,” she allegedly told investigators.
Hofmann appeared in court last week and was released on her own recognizance. She is currently prohibited from having contact with any of the victims and is scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial conference on Nov. 20, records show.
