SEDOL Staff Member Fired, Accused Of Hitting Student With Pillow

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A former employee of the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) is accused of battery in an incident involving a student, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's office. On Feb. 27, the sheriff's office was notified by district administration of an incident during which one of their paraprofessionals was accused of using excessive force while interacting with a 7-year-old student, according to the sheriff's office. Sheriff's deputies began investigating the reported incident.

The investigation showed 35-year-old Justin Cole, from the 2400 block of 82nd Street in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was in an intervention office with the student, according to the news release. According to the investigation, the student pushed Cole, and Cole is accused of picking up a pillow and hitting the student in the head, using the pillow as a barrier between the student's head and Cole's hand, the sheriff's office said. This caused the student to fall, and start crying, according to the news release.

SEDOL administration took immediate action and fired Cole, according to the news release.

Following the investigation, sheriff's deputies reviewed the case with the Lake County State's Attorney's office, who put together an arrest warrant for Cole on one count of misdemeanor battery, according to the news release.

The arrest warrant was authorized and signed by a Judge Friday, and Cole turned himself in to the Lake County Sheriff's office Monday, the sheriff's office said. He appeared in court and was released on a $25,000 recognizance bond, pending a court date set for May 14.