Criminal Charges Dismissed Against Former Mexico Elementary School Physical Education Teacher

The Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has dismissed a criminal case against a former Mexico School District elementary teacher.

Katrina Dukes was charged with child abuse and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger told ABC 17 News in an email the charges were dropped last week due to his office did not believe they could prove elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Dukes was fired and charged after she was accused of hitting a second-grade, special, needs student twice with a bag of dodgeballs in April 2022 at Eugene Field Elementary.

According to court documents the victim showed a school resource officer a bruise on his leg.

Dukes sued to get her job back, but lost the case against the Mexico Board of Education in March 2023.