RAPID CITY, S.D. – A former Rapid City teacher was sentenced Thursday to a year of probation and 100 hours of community service for striking a special needs student in the head with an exercise ball six times in 2019.
26-year-old Shea Lindsey pleaded guilty in Pennington County court to simple assault earlier this year after originally being charged with child abuse in May 2019.
The student’s grandfather spoke on behalf of the victim in the case. He says his grandson was diagnosed with angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with developmental delays and a lack of speech, and described difficulty in distinguishing emotions.
Lindsey held a provisional teaching license at the time of the assault and it has not renewed. Her lawyer says she “has no intention of teaching again.”
Lindsey offered an apology to the victim and the victim’s family, saying she was filled with regret and takes full responsibility, saying she knows her actions could have hurt him.
Lindsey was sentenced to one year probation in which she must get and maintain a job, submit to random testing, and must have supervision when around minors. She must complete 100 hours of community service and pay additional fines.
Judge Jane Wipf Pfeifle also ordered her to take Moral Reconation Therapy, or MRT, after saying Lindsey has struggled to take responsibility for her actions.
