Indianapolis is facing another disturbing case involving the alleged abuse of young children with disabilities.
Former special education teacher Hunter Sesemann has been indicted on nine battery charges involving two students at Washington Irving Neighborhood School 14 on the city’s near east side.
The alleged abuse occurred in September and October 2025. Attorneys representing three families say children were physically mistreated, including allegations of dragging, hitting and tripping students.
The criminal indictment involves two children, while a third family has also raised allegations.
School 14 is part of the IPS network but is independently operated by the Near Eastside Innovation School Corporation.
IPS says Sesemann was removed from the classroom and authorities were notified. His employment ended in November 2025.
The case comes less than a month after former teacher Julious Johnican was sentenced to two years in prison for encouraging and recording students fighting at George Washington Carver Montessori School 87, another Indianapolis Public Schools campus.
Both cases involve children with disabilities and have raised serious questions about school supervision, accountability and how allegations of abuse are handled.
Adding to the concern, Sesemann later obtained a student support position at St. Matthew Catholic School on Indianapolis’ northeast side.
That school says it placed him on administrative leave after learning of the indictment and that required background checks were completed before he was hired.
Sesemann has not been convicted, and the criminal allegations remain pending. Attorneys for the families are also preparing civil lawsuits.
Indianapolis parents, how concerned are you about these separate cases at School 14 and School 87?
Should schools face greater outside oversight when children with disabilities are allegedly abused, and should there be stronger safeguards before accused educators move to other schools?
Sources: WFYI, Indianapolis Star, Indiana Lawyer. Photo: ChalkBeat