Substitute Teacher Charged After Alleged Slap Incident at School
MERRILLVILLE — A 69-year-old Crown Point woman has been charged with felony battery after a student at Aquinas Catholic Community School alleged the substitute teacher slapped her hand during class, resulting in visible bruising.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on May 16, 2025, around 2:00 p.m. at the school located at 801 West 73rd Avenue in Merrillville, Indiana. A woman reported that when she arrived to pick up her daughter from school that day, the child appeared visibly upset and was speaking with the school’s principal. She stated that the principal informed her an incident involving substitute teacher Marguerite Mary Mion had taken place earlier that day.
The woman stated that her daughter told her the teacher instructed her and another student to take out rulers. An argument followed between the students over a ruler. She said Mion approached them, took the ruler, and slapped her daughter on the right hand. The girl reportedly attempted to go to the nurse, but Mion would not allow her to leave the classroom.
A school administrator told investigators that the child had tried to explain the incident at dismissal, and a meeting was later held with the child, her mother, and Mion. During the meeting, the child stated that Mion handed out rulers for math class, and when a tug-of-war broke out between two students over one, Mion grabbed the ruler, struck the child’s hand with it, and then threw it. The administrator stated that when asked about the incident, Mion was dismissive and initially said she didn’t recall it occurring.
The child was later interviewed at the Special Victims Unit, where she again stated that Mion took the ruler from her and her friend, threw it, and then slapped her on the hand. She said she asked to go to the nurse but was not permitted to.
On June 13, 2025, Mion provided a voluntary statement. She confirmed she had been teaching at the school on the day in question. She acknowledged there was a tug-of-war over a ruler and said she placed her hand in the middle of the ruler to stop them. She initially denied throwing the ruler but later stated she threw it to a desk behind her so neither student could continue using it. Mion denied touching any student, denied that the student cried or complained of pain, and said no request was made to see the nurse.
Charges were filed on July 29, 2025:
• Battery on a Person Less than 14 Years Old when Defendant is 18 or Older – Level 6 Felony
• Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury – Class A Misdemeanor
Marguerite Mary Mion was lodged in the Lake County Jail on July 30, 2025.
