Mar 27 2025
Jason Rogers, a 48-year-old teacher from Underwood, has been charged with malicious punishment of a child. The charge arises from an incident during a lockdown drill when he allegedly stepped on a sixth-grade student's back for about 10 seconds.
According to the accusations, the student reported that Rogers weighed between 300 and 400 pounds and stepped on him while he was lying on his stomach, causing significant pain. The victim's mother mentioned that her son was "walking around like an 80-year-old from the pain."
In a statement to investigators, Rogers explained that he was conducting a lockdown drill where students were required to line up against a wall and sit down. He stated that two students were lying on the floor next to the door, and he placed his foot on one student's back as a demonstration after feeling the class did not take the drill seriously.
Rogers admitted to stepping on two other students as well and expressed hope that he did not hurt the student involved. He is currently on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the situation.
The criminal complaint was filed with Otter Tail County after the incident, which took place on February 10. Rogers has a court hearing scheduled for April 8 to address the charges against him.
Superintendent Jeff Wilson of Underwood Public Schools confirmed the teacher's leave and stated that the district is taking the matter seriously.
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