ANDERSON, Ind. — "She pulled my hair, she hit me with a ruler, she put tape on my mouth, she sat on me."
These are the accusations against Stephanie Arteaga, a now-former substitute teacher at Anderson Intermediate School, from one of her students.
According to documents, the Anderson Police Department were called to the school around 12:56 p.m. on Aug. 30. This resulted in a meeting with the school principal, who provided a handwritten note of the accounts.
According to the student, they had gone to the nurse after biting their lip. After returning, they had "started playing" with Arteaga, but the manner of this playing was rather violent.
The school's principal then spoke to Arteaga. Upon doing so, police said he could smell alcohol on her breath. Arteaga later admitted to police that she drank alcoholic beverages throughout the day: one in the morning and one later in the day when she is not around students.
Additionally, in an interview with APD, Arteaga confessed to pulling a student's hair, though she argued it was done lightly and in a playful manner. Later in the day, she hit the same student on the finger with a ruler, then put a piece of gray tape on the student's mouth and sat on their lap.
APD said Arteaga was escorted off school property once officers had finished speaking with her.
Anderson Community Schools Corporation confirmed in a statement that Arteaga worked in the district since Oct. 3, 2022. She resigned on Aug. 30 on the exact day of the incident.
ACSC also added that they are in close contact with the family of the student and have made themselves available to provide necessary services, though they cannot specify the exact services being provied.
Arteaga is charged with battery on an individual less than 14 years of age, a Level 6 Felony. If convicted, she could face up to 2.5 years behind bars.