Teacher’s aide twists special-needs student’s fingers and tries to trip him, IN cops say

A now-former teacher’s aide at an Indiana middle school is accused of assaulting a special-needs student, according to police and news reports.

Surveillance footage from Jackson Creek Middle School in Bloomington captured Darren Eugene Eads, 33, twisting the fingers of the 14-year-old student “without provocation,” according to court documents obtained by WBIW.

His actions caused the boy to cry, and other teachers noticed a fearful look on the victim’s face, WIBC reported, citing the court records.

The court documents showed that when Eads was confronted about the incident, he said the boy was crying for no reason, according to WXIN.

Footage also showed the teacher’s aide attempt to trip the boy, who was using the wall for support as he walked down the hallway, detectives said in the report obtained by The Herald-Times.

A spokesperson for the Monroe County Community School Corporation told IUSTV that Eads was fired on Jan. 30, two days after the allegations were reported.

“The safety and security of our students is the highest priority to the MCCSC,” the spokesperson said. “The MCCSC continues to collaborate with law enforcement in its investigation.”

Eads was arrested and charged with battery causing bodily injury to a disabled person, court records show. He posted bail Feb. 4 and is due in court Feb. 7. Information about his legal representation wasn’t immediately available.

Eads is listed as a special education teacher’s aide on the middle school’s website. He previously worked at a Bloomington high school as an aide and assistant wrestling coach, according to The Herald-Times.

Bloomington is about a 55-mile drive southwest from Indianapolis.

This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Teacher’s aide twists special-needs student’s fingers and tries to trip him, IN cops say."