BATAVIA, IL — Following an investigation, police said Wednesday they found no probable cause to criminally charge a Batavia High School monitor after a physical altercation with a student Oct. 21.
Although no charges have been filed against the employee, he will remain on leave until Batavia School District 101 concludes its own investigation, Communications Manager Holly Deitchman told Patch Wednesday.
Police’s investigation, which was reviewed by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, included interviews with students and staff members as well as reviews of available surveillance and cell phone video footage.
Based on the investigation, police determined the disturbance, occurring around 1:17 p.m., started with a verbal argument between a female student and other students at a table in the Batavia High School lunchroom. After observing the events, a male campus monitor approached the students and attempted to de-escalate. The girl ignored him and walked around him, beginning to argue with a male student seated at the table, officials said.
Without physical provocation, the girl “struck the male student about the head several times.” To separate the two, the campus monitor pinned the girl against a nearby table, according to police. She continued to hit the school employee while he “attempted to control her.”
After some time, the monitor was able to use his radio to call for help while keeping hold of the student, police said.