Riverdale teacher case headed to trial

Pupil shown being pushed

7/2/2014
BLADE STAFF
  • n4teacher-6

    Anthony and Autumn Nelson, parents of Ian Nelson, stand outside a pretrial hearing Tuesday in Findlay Municipal Court for a misdemeanor charge against Mount Blanchard Schools teacher Barb Williams.

    THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
    Buy This Image

  • Anthony and Autumn Nelson, parents of Ian Nelson, stand outside a pretrial hearing Tuesday in Findlay Municipal Court for a misdemeanor charge against Mount Blanchard Schools teacher Barb Williams.
    Anthony and Autumn Nelson, parents of Ian Nelson, stand outside a pretrial hearing Tuesday in Findlay Municipal Court for a misdemeanor charge against Mount Blanchard Schools teacher Barb Williams.

    FINDLAY — The misdemeanor case against a Riverdale Local teacher shown on a May video pushing a kindergartner likely will head to trial.

    Barb Williams of Hancock County’s Mount Blanchard faces a child endangerment charge in Findlay Municipal Court, where a closed-door, pretrial hearing took place Tuesday.

    Findlay Assistant Law Director Alan Hackenberg said he expects another, yet unscheduled, pretrial hearing before the case likely proceeds to trial.

    School surveillance video showed Riverdale teacher Barb Williams pushing a student against a wall and then lifting him up by his shirt and face.
    School surveillance video showed Riverdale teacher Barb Williams pushing a student against a wall and then lifting him up by his shirt and face.

    A school surveillance video shows the teacher using force against Ian Nelson, 6. His parents, Autumn and Anthony Nelson, and their Cleveland attorney Daniel Margolis met privately with Mr. Hackenberg on Tuesday after voicing frustrations to reporters about what they say has been an insufficient investigation into the incident.

    Mr. Hackenberg said the parents expressed their concerns, and he indicated he would see “if there’s anything more that could be done.”

    The defendant’s attorney, Jay Feldstein, would not comment. Ms. Williams has pleaded not guilty.

    Mr. Nelson said the family has not decided “at this time” to file a civil lawsuit.