Misdemeanor charge filed against teacher accused of slapping student

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April 17

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow Tuesday announced the filing of a misdemeanor battery charge against a Naperville teacher who is alleged to have slapped a student at Neuqua Valley High School.

Akela J. Dillon, 26, of Lisle, is scheduled to appear in court on April 27 on the Class A misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. 

The misdemeanor charge alleges that Dillon struck the 16-year-old boy in the face on April 3. The incident is alleged to have occurred in a hallway at Neuqua Valley High School.

“This office takes seriously all allegations of battery on school property,” Glasgow said. “Schools must be safe havens from any form of violence. Teachers must serve as role models for their students.”

The Naperville Police Department investigated the allegation and forwarded its reports, including a security video from the school hallway, to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office last week.  

Naperville Police Chief David Dial said: “This action appropriately holds the teacher accountable for the criminal act that she committed.”

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.