Moniteau County substitute teacher charged with assaulting student

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A substitute teacher working for the California School District in Moniteau County was charged last week with assaulting a student in class.

Kevin R. Wideman of Russellville, Missouri, was charged with fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. He was issued a summons to appear in court and a hearing is set for April 9.

A probable cause statement alleges Wideman assaulted the student on Nov. 30. The statement redacts the location, but makes it clear the incident happened in the classroom.

ABC 17 News has learned the incident took place at California High School. District Superintendent Daniel Williams told ABC 17 News in an email that Wideman was a substitute teacher in the district until Dec. 1. Williams confirmed that Wideman is no longer employed by the district and the school has no knowledge of the charge filed.

Wideman told investigators that he was handing out classroom materials and felt threatened during an interaction with the student, according to the statement. Wideman told them he wrapped his arm around the student's neck and the student punched him, but the hits were minor, the statement says.

Investigators say video from the classroom shows Wideman putting the student into the hold before other students separated them. The video shows the student pushing Wideman while his fist was closed but investigators did not see the action as a punch, the statement says.

Investigators say other discrepancies are apparent in Wideman's description of what happened, including how the fight began and who was the aggressor.

The Class C misdemeanor of fourth-degree assault is punishable by up to 15 days in jail and a $750 fine.