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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Grand Jury Indicts Ex-IPS Special Education Teacher
A former special education teacher from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Hunter Sesemann, has been indicted by a Marion County grand jury on multiple charges related to the alleged physical abuse of students with disabilities at Washington Irving Neighborhood School 14. The indictment consists of nine criminal charges: six Level 6 felonies for battery on a person less than 14 years old and battery against a person with a disability, and three misdemeanors for battery. The indictment, filed in Marion Superior Court in October 2026, stems from a series of alleged incidents that took place during the fall of 2025.
Legal Actions and Civil Remedies Sought
Attorneys Tammy Meyer and Catherine Michael, representing Connell Michael LLP, are seeking civil remedies for three families whose children were students in Sesemann’s class. The attorneys allege that Sesemann initiated “unlawful physical contact” with at least two victims who had known mental disabilities. The families’ claims are centered on repeated instances of suspected special education abuse, with concerns extending to issues of student protection failure and IPS school misconduct.
Details from Tort Claim Filings
According to court filings, the first Tort Claim Notice was submitted in January 2026. It outlines allegations by the parents of a nonverbal student diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who attended kindergarten in Sesemann’s class beginning August 2025. The parents reported a “significant decline in the student’s mood” and observed their child returning home with unexplained bruises. The school’s responses, as described by the family, allegedly dismissed these concerns.
One particular incident described in the notice involved the child suffering a dislocated elbow after dropping to the floor while walking with Sesemann. The principal later reviewed security camera footage and learned from a witness that Sesemann’s handling of the student appeared “aggressive.” Another reported episode accused Sesemann of tripping the child and then dragging the student for several feet. The tort filings criticize the school administration for not fully informing the student’s family and failing to address what they describe as “a pattern of abuse and misconduct by Mr. Sesemann.”
Incidents Involving Additional Students
A second Tort Claim Notice, filed in February 2026, involved another young student with multiple diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and significant developmental delays. After enrolling in Washington Irving’s developmental preschool program, this student reportedly came home on several occasions with soaked clothing and bruising. On one occasion, Sesemann was alleged to have confined the student to a closet as a form of disciplinary action. These allegations have contributed to growing scrutiny concerning disabilities student safety and broader occurrences of physical abuse students face in educational settings.
Next Steps and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The attorneys representing the families stated they are preparing civil lawsuits that will go beyond criminal charges against Sesemann. These lawsuits will also focus on IPS’s alleged lapses in ensuring student safety. Attorney Tammy Meyer emphasized that, “The allegations in the indictment are deeply troubling because they involve young children with disabilities who depended on the adults in their classroom to keep them safe.” Catherine Michael added that criminal charges are only the beginning, asserting that, “Our clients and their families deserve answers about what happened inside that IPS school, what school officials knew, and what could have been done to prevent the harm.”
As of the article’s publication, the criminal case is pending in Marion Superior Court, and the civil actions are in preparation. The case raises serious questions about special education abuse, the responsibility of educators, and the systems in place to protect vulnerable students within the IPS system.
Source: fox59.com.
