safety
Charges: Video captured former New Horizon Academy teacher repeatedly striking ‘frightened’ child
By Emily Baude at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 10, 2026
· 2 min read
A former New Horizon Academy teacher is facing charges for allegedly striking a 4-year-old child numerous times during one instance last month.
Aaron Jacob Bonnette, 29, of Woodbury was charged on July 1 with one count of malicious punishment of a child.
St. Paul police began investigating ...
Key takeaway Aaron Jacob Bonnette, 29, of Woodbury was charged on July 1 with one count of malicious punishment of a child.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The charges against Aaron Jacob Bonnette raise concerns about the screening and training processes for childcare workers in Minneapolis . Despite his extensive experience and background checks, Bonnette's alleged actions demonstrate a disturbing lapse in judgment and a blatant disregard for the well-being of the children in his care. This incident may prompt local parents to demand greater transparency and accountability from childcare providers, including New Horizon Academy. The fact that the school has a stringent recruitment and hiring process in place, yet still employed someone capable of such behavior, suggests that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of Minneapolis' youngest residents. As the case against Bonnette proceeds, the community will be watching to see how New Horizon Academy and other local childcare providers respond to this incident and work to prevent similar abuses in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former New Horizon Academy teacher is facing charges for allegedly striking a 4-year-old child numerous times during one instance last month.
Aaron Jacob Bonnette, 29, of Woodbury was charged on July 1 with one count of malicious punishment of a child.
St. Paul police began investigating ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emily Baude at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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